West Bromwich Albion's 2023/24 Sky Bet Championship campaign gets underway on Saturday afternoon!
The Baggies open up against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park (ko 3pm) this weekend, hoping for a winning start to the term.
Albion, who finished 9th in 2022/23, take on a Rovers team who missed out on a spot in last season's play-offs on goal difference.
Come on you Baggies!
Follow the fixture live
Supporters can listen to live audio commentary of Albion's clash with Rovers.
WBA Radio duo Gez Mulholland and former Baggie Andy Johnson are back for the new term and will be providing live commentary from Ewood Park.
Audio passes are available to purchase here.
Regular updates will also be posted across the club's social media channels throughout the day.
The opponents
Blackburn will have their sights set on a storming start to the season in a bid to sweep any lingering disappointment from last year aside.
Rovers missed out on a spot in the top six on goal difference having been inside the play-off positions for the majority of the term.
Danish legend Jon Dahl Tomasson, who is now into his second season as the boss at Ewood Park, has lost top scorer Ben Brereton Diaz over the summer, with the Chile international signing for Spanish club Villarreal CF.
Former fans' favourite Bradley Dack has also departed for pastures new, but Blackburn have recruited forward Niall Ennis from Plymouth on a free transfer, as well as midfielders Sondre Tronstad and Arnor Sigurdsson from Vitesse and CSKA Moscow respectively in a bid to bolster their ranks.
Only promoted duo Burnley and Sheffield United won more home games in the second tier than Blackburn last year, and Saturday's hosts will be keen to get off to an excellent start at Ewood.
One to remember
The Baggies beat Blackburn 2-1 in the Sky Bet Championship at Ewood Park in August 2021.
Alex Mowatt fired the visitors in front after less than 60 seconds and Matty Phillips added another moments before the break.
Ben Brereton Diaz pulled a goal back for Blackburn six minutes into the second period but it was Albion who held on to claim all three points.
Check out the highlights below.
The last five
Albion 1-1 Blackburn Rovers
Feb 15 2023, Sky Bet Championship
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Blackburn Rovers 2-1 Albion
Aug 14 2022, Sky Bet Championship
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Albion 0-0 Blackburn Rovers
Feb 14 2022, Sky Bet Championship
.
Blackburn Rovers 1-2 Albion
Aug 21 2021, Sky Bet Championship
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Blackburn Rovers 1-1 Albion
Jul 11 2020, Sky Bet Championship
Did you know?
Saturday's clash will be the fourth consecutive season in which the two teams have met in August when they've played in the same division.
The Baggies won 3-2 in 2019 at The Hawthorns and 2-1 at Ewood Park in 2021, before losing 2-1 up north last term.
The last time Albion played Blackburn on the opening day of a league campaign was in 2004/05 when Neil Clement's free-kick helped them to a 1-1 draw at Rovers' home.
Ticket details
Tickets are on general sale for Saturday's season opener at Ewood Park.
The Baggies have been handed an initial allocation of 2,948.
Seats are priced £25 Adults, £20 Seniors (65+), £15 18-23s, £10 12-17s, and £7 Under-12s.
Supporters can purchase their tickets online, in person from the East Stand Ticket Office or by calling 0121 227 2227.
Travel colours
The Baggies will wear their lime green away strip at Blackburn on the opening day.
