Blackburn Rovers will begin their preparations for the 2021-22 campaign with a pre-season friendly against National League North outfit Fylde on Saturday afternoon.
Rovers are building towards the start of their Championship season at home to Swansea City on August 7, while Fylde will begin their 2021-22 campaign with a clash against Guiseley on August 14.
Match preview
Relegated back to the National League North in 2019-20, Fylde operate in the sixth overall tier of English football, meaning that the clash with Blackburn will provide a stern test for Jim Bentley's side.
Fylde started their preparations for the new season with an impressive performance and result on Tuesday, though, as they put four unanswered goals past Squires Gate at the Brian Addison Stadium.
Owen Robinson and Emeka Obi were both on the scoresheet, in addition to two triallists, as the club's supporters were able to watch their team live for the first time in 16 months.
Fylde will also take on Rochdale and Halifax Town before the start of their National League North campaign against Guiseley on August 14, and there are expected to be a number of incomings and outings at the club before the start of the new season, which is a little over a month away.
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Blackburn, meanwhile, finished 15th in the Championship last season, ultimately collecting 57 points from their 46 matches to finish 20 points adrift of the playoffs, which was a huge disappointment.
Rovers did end last season in a positive manner, though, winning three of their final five Championship matches, including a 5-2 home success over Birmingham City at the start of May.
Tony Mowbray's side will take on Fylde, Bradford City, Leeds United and Bolton Wanderers in July ahead of their season opener against Swansea on August 7.
Blackburn are yet to make any summer signings, which is somewhat of a surprise, but their squad is expected to have a different look by the time that they take to the field for their first match of the 2021-22 campaign.
The Championship club will be able to have supporters in attendance for this match, although the fans will need to fulfil certain safety requirements, including proof of a negative lateral flow test, in order to gain access to Mill Farm on Saturday afternoon.
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Team News
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Fylde boss Bentley made full use of his squad against Squires Gate, introducing 10 new players at the interval, and there are again expected to be a number of changes throughout Saturday's contest.
More triallists should be involved, with contracts potentially forthcoming, while Robinson and Obi, who both scored in their side's opening pre-season fixture, should feature in the first XI.
Robinson has put pen to paper on his first professional contract for the club this summer and will hope to have an important role for Bentley's team during the 2021-22 campaign.
As for Blackburn, Thomas Kaminski has joined up with the Rovers squad following a trip to Euro 2020, and the goalkeeper is expected to be involved in this contest.
The club's Under-23s actually have a friendly on the same day, so it will be interesting to see whether Mowbray calls up a number of youngsters or decides to use experienced players.
Darragh Lenihan, Daniel Ayala, Tyler Magloire and Hayden Carter are all expected to be handed minutes at the back, while Bradley Johnson, Jacob Davenport, John Buckley and Joe Rothwell should be involved in midfield.
Mowbray is expected to name a first-half XI before changing possibly 10 or 11 at the interval, and fitness will be the name of the game on Saturday, as Rovers build towards the start of competitive action once again.
We say: Fylde 1-3 Blackburn Rovers
Fylde will enter this weekend's match off the back of a positive result, but we are finding it difficult to back against Blackburn, who will have better players all over the pitch. Fylde could get their name on the scoresheet before potentially conceding some goals as the match develops.
Matt Law
