Wolverhampton Wanderers begin their bid for an immediate return to the Premier League when they welcome Blackburn Rovers to Molineux on Friday night for the opening fixture of the 2026-27 Championship season.

Both clubs have already tasted competitive action in the EFL Cup, with Wolves cruising past Port Vale 3-0 and Blackburn recovering to beat Burton Albion 2-1. Wolves enter the Championship among the promotion contenders despite an underwhelming transfer window so far, while Tony Mowbray’s Blackburn will be hoping to improve on last season and make an early statement against one of the division’s strongest squads.

Wolves begin promotion push after encouraging cup victory

Relegation from the Premier League was a miserable experience for Wolves, who managed only three victories throughout the entire campaign, but there were encouraging signs in their first competitive outing under César Peixoto.

More than 21,000 supporters watched Wolves comfortably beat Port Vale 3-0 at Molineux last Friday, and the performance continued a promising defensive trend. Peixoto’s side have now recorded five clean sheets across seven matches when their pre-season schedule and EFL Cup opener are combined.

There is still understandable frustration surrounding the club’s transfer business. Wolves remain short in several areas of the squad and also have EFL registration issues to resolve, but there is considerable Championship quality available to Peixoto.

Kieran Trippier and Raúl Jiménez provide experience at a significantly higher level, although the latter is still building his fitness and may again have to settle for a place among the substitutes after coming off the bench against Port Vale. Ladislav Krejčí is in a similar position.

Peixoto therefore has little reason to make major changes to the team that started the cup victory. Tommy Doyle is an alternative to Marshall Munetsi in midfield, while summer signing Rafiki Said remains unavailable with a knee injury.

A convincing opening-night victory would immediately strengthen belief that Wolves are capable of making their stay in the Championship a short one.

Blackburn arrive with reason for optimism

Blackburn’s summer has also provided Tony Mowbray with some encouraging signs ahead of the new campaign.

Rovers won two and drew three of their six pre-season fixtures, with a 2-0 victory over Strasbourg standing out among those results. A 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest demonstrated that there is still work to do, but Blackburn showed character when competitive football returned last weekend.

Trailing Burton Albion in their EFL Cup tie, Rovers produced a late turnaround to win 2-1 at the Pirelli Stadium. Jayden Fevrier and Andri Gudjohnsen found the net and both have strengthened their cases for starting roles at Molineux.

Blackburn have also added experience to midfield with the signing of former Ipswich Town captain Sam Morsy. Having maintained his fitness with the PFA free agents squad during pre-season, Morsy could be included among the substitutes on Friday.

Sidnei Tavares is another option after illness restricted him to a place on the bench against Burton.

Blackburn will travel to Molineux without the same level of expectation surrounding them as their hosts, but that may suit Mowbray’s side. Their cup victory showed they are capable of staying in games and finding a way through difficult periods, qualities they will need against a Wolves team expected to control much of the contest.

Verdict

Wolves still have areas of their squad to address, but their opening competitive performance was convincing and Peixoto appears to have already established a solid defensive base.

Blackburn should provide a considerably tougher examination than Port Vale and arrive with confidence after their own cup victory, but Wolves have greater individual quality and home advantage for their Championship return.

It may take time for the hosts to break Rovers down, but Wolves should have enough to start their promotion campaign with three points.

Tip

Wolves to win.