A new season awaits for the Baggies as they host Valérien Ismaël’s Blackburn Rovers at The Hawthorns to kick off the 2025/26 Championship campaign.
It all starts again on Saturday the first of 46 games being Blackburn Rovers, in the summer market we have only captured 3 players in Nat Phillips from Liverpool, George Campbell from CF Montreal and Aune Heggebo from Brann. The transfers we brought in seem decent but it looks certain that Heggem could be of to Bologna and Tom Fellows might be going to Southampton most fans think this could be a difficult season.
I think we would challenge a play-off place this season but my table prediction I say the Baggies would scrap it and finish just in 6th place and Blackburn have sold some of their best players of late and do think this should be a game where we could get a result out of them.
Player To Watch – Blackburn Rovers
Makhtar Gueye is absolutely one to keep an eye on for Blackburn this season—and not just because he’s built like a Championship centre-half’s worst nightmare.
Makhtar Gueye is shaping up to be a real force for Blackburn Rovers this season, and not just because of his imposing frame or aerial prowess. After a year of adaptation, he’s now physically sharper, more confident, and tactically locked into Valérien Ismaël’s direct, vertical style of play. Gueye’s hold-up ability and strength in duels make him a perfect fit for a system that thrives on quick transitions and physical dominance up top.
He registered six goals and six assists last season, despite starting only 23 of his 44 league appearances. But it’s not just the numbers—it’s the moments. One of the standout performances came at The Hawthorns, where Gueye silenced the home crowd with a clinical brace against West Brom. His first was a stunning acrobatic finish from a corner, and his second capped off a ruthless counter-attacking display that helped Blackburn leapfrog their play-off rivals in the table.
I think Gueye should be an eye to watch for our defenders on Saturday at The Hawthorns and I think he be our danger man and has potential to bag a goal or two to deny us a result in the first game of the season.
Player To Watch – West Brom
The one to watch for this encounter is the Norwegian Hulk Aune Heggebo against Blackburn Rovers, he arrives from SK Brann with a reputation for tireless work rate, intelligent movement, and clinical finishing, having scored seven goals in just 13 games this season before his transfer.
He’s expected to lead the line in the Championship opener, and early signs suggest he’s ready to make an impact. In pre-season, Heggebo impressed with a strong display against Rayo Vallecano, showing off his physicality and link-up play in a 3–2 win.
With West Brom desperate to find a consistent goal threat after last season’s struggles, Heggebo could be the spark they’ve been missing. If he hits the ground running, this game could be the start of something big.
Line Up V Blackburn Rovers
For the first line up of the 2025-26 season, I’ll start Josh Griffiths if we haven’t got in a new keeper we are after before the first game. In defence I have Nat Phillips and George Campbell as centre backs with Darnell Furlong and Torjborn Heggem in a full back role.
Midfielders I have Molumby and Mowatt paired up, Tom Fellows and Karlan Grant would play in the wing with Isaac Price just behind Aune Heggebo who is looking to start his league debut off to a great start.
Prediction V Blackburn Rovers
First prediction for the 2025-26 season and it’s Blackburn Rovers at home, at the start of the game Blackburn would have a few chances with Makhtar Gueye getting a early chance that’s saved by Josh Griffiths.
Then around the 16th minute, a quick breakdown from the right flank that would see Tom Fellows whipping in a low ball to do what he does best and assists new boy Aune Heggebo’s debut goal over Blackburn. The Baggies would take the lead early on and supporters would seem impressed by Heggebo’s goal then we would try and get the second and we would before half time with a free kick and from 20+ yards Alex Mowatt would double the advantage with a cool free-kick that would see us 2-0 up at the break.
In the second half Blackburn would come at us and they would get the goal with Makhtar Gueye scoring from a header that’s assisted by Todd Cantwell to put the scoreline at 2-1, Rovers then in the next 15 mintes would do anything to find the equaliser but Griffiths would make fine saves to prove his doubters wrong and showing Ryan Mason he can keep his number 1 place before a keeper could sign.
However, a corner with 15 minutes remaining and Mowatt’s corner would swing out and Darnell Furlong would get the third for the Baggies and the three points in our first league game of the season with a quality win.
Prediction: West Brom 3-1 Blackburn Rovers
Goalscorers for West Brom: Aune Heggebo, Alex Mowatt, Darnell Furlong
Goalscorers for Blackburn Rovers: Makhtar Gueye
A 3-1 win I’m going for and think our home record would continue following a 3-2 win last weekend in Pre-season and a early Heggebo goal would give the players and fans a lift that would help secure the three points and hopefully if the result comes of we can bring it into Wrexham away the following weekend.