Blackburn:
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There is a bitter air of resentment surrounding the beginning of Blackburn's new campaign. The clubs spiralling debt has prompted the offloading of many crucial first team players in the last couple of years, and there is little to suggest these transfer revenues will be reinvested into securing high quality recruits.
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Owen Coyle is an underwhelming managerial appointment, he's endured difficult tenures at Bolton, Wigan and Houston Dynamo over the past 4-5 years, time will tell but it's difficult to envisage an emulation of the success he achieved at Burnley.
Working on a shoestring budget and a distinctly average squad, creating a vibrant team spirit and tireless work ethic will be fundamental to moulding the ingredients for winning matches.
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To put things into perspective, Blackburn have lost Rudy Gestede, Jordan Rhodes, Tom Cairney, Marcus Olsson and Joshua King over the past year. The further departures of Grant Hanley (Newcastle) and Tommy Spurr (Preston) during this summer window leave sizable gaps to be sealed over defensively.
In hindsight it looks glum for Blackburn, perhaps the main saving grace is the fact 3 or 4 teams are probably inferior within the division.
Key departures: Simeon Jackson, Matt Kilgallon, Lee Williamson, Simon Eastwood, Nathan Delfouneso, Grant Hanley, Tommy Spurr
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Key signings: Danny Graham (ST - Sunderland), Anthony Stokes (ST - Celtic), Liam Feeney (RM - Bolton), Jack Byrne (CAM - Man City), Stephen Hendrie (RB - West Ham)
The permanent acquisition of Danny Graham looks a shrewd piece of business, he enjoyed a decent loan spell at Rovers last season scoring 7 goals in 18 appearances, while the signing of Anthony Stokes adds another genuine goal threat to their armoury.
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Blackburn have the firepower to avoid relegation, but a bottom half finish looks decent value @ 4/9. The Championship is consistently unpredictable, this looks a banker though.
Recommended Bets:
- Blackburn To Finish Bottom Half @ 4/9
Sheffield Wednesday:
The finest of margins separated the Owls from topping off a tremendous season and securing promotion to the Premier League, a wonder strike from Mo Diame proving pivotal in denying Wednesday the hallowed prize. Play-off final defeat has the potential to galvanise and reignite a promotion charge despite the bitter disappointment.
Middlesbrough play the perfect advocate for this, which should consequently instil Wednesday with inextinguishable levels of belief.
Sheffield Wednesday's fine Championship season was built upon the foundations of superb home form, picking up 14 wins, 8 draws and just 2 losses. Eclipsing something similar in this campaign will ensure a top 6 challenge is a very realistic eventuality.
Owls fans have doubts over their clubs' top 2 credentials, citing a lack of strength in depth across their backline as a possible Achilles heel. The only immediate concern revolving around their lack of signings and frequency of outgoing players, successfully acquiring the permanent services of Daniel Pudil is an important piece of business.
Key departures: Lewis Price, Joe Bennett, Alex Lopez, Vincent Sasso, Aiden McGeady
Key signings: Daniel Pudil (LB - Watford), Almen Abdi (CAM - Watford), Steven Fletcher (CF - Sunderland)
With reports circulating that Watford could net more than £6m for Almen Abdi, this significantly highlights the level of ambition Wednesday are showing, bankrolled by owner Dejphon Chansiri.
Abdi operates with a creative spark, architecting numerous opportunities for his team mates and therefore bolstering Sheffield Wednesday's attacking dimensions. Steven Fletcher is another player who found first team opportunities limited last season, but undoubtedly has the ability to flourish at Championship level.
With striking options of Fernando Forestieri, Gary Hooper, Lucas Joao and now Steven Fletcher, there's no shortage of firepower amongst their ranks, offering a healthy variation of complementing attributes. Sheffield Wednesday are priced @ 7/4 to achieve a top 6 finish, this constitutes fantastic value.
Recommended Bets:
Sheffield Wednesday To Finish Top 6 @ 7/4
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