West Brom won just two of their final 10 league fixtures last season
Blackburn claimed four points against the Baggies last season
Recommended bet: Draw
A dramatic dip in form at the end of last season saw West Brom miss out on the Championship play-offs but they did at least sign off with a win, sending Luton down as they claimed a remarkable 5-3 victory.
Blackburn also came agonisingly close to a spot in the play-offs as they finished in seventh spot, just two points behind Bristol City immediately above them.
The Baggies have brought in Ryan Mason as their new manager ahead of the campaign, while Valerien Ismael is gearing up for his first full season in charge of the visitors.
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Team news
West Brom forked out nearly £5million to sign striker Aune Heggebo from Norway's Brann and he should be involved from the off after featuring in pre-season. Nat Phillips and Jack Bray are among the other new Albion recruits.
Blackburn have brought in midfielder Sidnei Tavares from Portuguese side Moreirense and Axel Henriksson has arrived from Sweden’s GAIS, but they may have to settle for places on the bench.
The stats
West Brom played out 19 draws in 46 Championship games last season.
Blackburn avoided defeat in 12 of their 23 away games and ended last season with a six-game unbeaten run.
The Baggies failed to score in both league meetings between these two sides last term.
West Brom have managed just one victory in four pre-season friendlies.
The latest West Brom vs Blackburn odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
West Brom have a new manager in place ahead of the new season and it could take them a while to gel under Mason.
His first job will be to raise the mood at The Hawthorns after a disastrous end to the previous campaign, with Albion ultimately ending the season in ninth place.
In contrast, Blackburn should come into the new season with a bit of momentum as they ended last season with a six-game unbeaten run and they’ve enjoyed a productive pre-season.
Results initially dipped after Ismael replaced John Eustace as manager, but Rovers finished strongly under the Frenchman and will feel they are capable of mounting a promotion push again in the season ahead.
Blackburn were a bit of an all-or-nothing team last term as just nine of their 46 league games finished level, but they may have to settle for a point against West Brom.
The Baggies were among the Championship's draw specialists last season with 19 of their games finishing all square, only Preston had more stalemates.
Eight of those draws came at home and they only lost four of their league assignments at The Hawthorns all season, while Blackburn avoided defeat in each of their final three trips.
Neither side will want to give any ground to a likely direct rival in this opening game and both teams may ultimately see a point as a solid way to open the new campaign in this fixture.
