Indian banking rules have really turned the narrative at Blackburn Rovers. With a difference in the way the Indian Government is going to be treating overseas investment, the owners of Blackburn, Venky’s, have had to scale back on operations. With the club being unable to self-sustain at this stage, it has meant that any proposed expansion of the playing squad has been curtailed.

Head Coach, Jon Dahl Tomasson, has been fairly open in pre-season about the situation and is obviously disappointed that, despite a positive season last term, there is little opportunity to build on that.

Goals were the biggest problem for Tomasson and Rovers last year, and very little has been done to resolve that. It looks as though teenage striker Harry Leonard will be leading the line here, and although he has lots of potential, this would constitute his first ever league start. With no Ben Brereton or Bradley Dack in the squad, other players will now need to step up and provide the finishing touch.

West Brom are not short of a few ownership issues themselves. The outcome of the season may depend on what happens in the boardroom. However, in terms of this fixture, and the bet in question, we remind ourselves that Carlos Corberan is in the dugout these days these days, and he has got a reputation of sending his teams out with great organisation and a solid tactical plan.

Josh Maja has just joined off the back of a good season in Bordeaux, which will help the rotation in the WBA attack, but Blackburn were one of the best defensive teams in the league last season. With Hayden Carter having had some more time to develop alongside Dom Hyam, there shouldn’t be much change in this department.

With the potential for defences to be on top and both attacks in transition, the unders must be favourite here.

Bristol City are an interesting dark horse this season. The club seems to be in a good place after some strong stabilisation from Nigel Pearson and the board. They have remained focused on their overall long term plan, without ever really being threatened by relegation.

This has meant that they approach this season having shed more high earners from the wage bill, and with a crop of young players who have a decent amount of experience in the league now. The team has been growing together and with a couple of shrewd additions looks ready for some progress.

The attacking side of the team certainly looks full of verve. Tommy Conway is at the stage of his development where he can lead an attack, Sam Bell has pace and acceleration to stretch defences and Anis Mehmeti should start the season more prepared for the level as well. The Robins will be worth keeping an eye on for BTTS EFL considerations this season.

Preston look to be in pole position to bring Tom Cannon back into the fold, but he may not be available for this match regardless of when that deal might get over the line. This time last year North End went on a remarkable start to the season where there were literally no goals in their games.

The layers might be a little wary of that, hence the goal line price. The likelihood of something like that run happening again seems ridiculously unlikely and, actually, Preston have added a little more variety to their attack anyway with the arrivals of Will Keane, young Liverpool talent Layton Stewart, and the Danish midfielder Mads Frokjaer-Jensen.

Yes, it may take a while for that Preston attack to gel, but overall, between the two teams, there is enough talent on the pitch to attack this over 1.5 goal line.

Accrington Stanley’s relegation to League Two last season was a real shame, the sad consequences of an inability to uncover sufficient gems and inconsistency with personnel through injuries or suspensions. As this new season approaches, legendary manager John Coleman will at the very least want to form Stanley into a competitive side, dependant on midfield figures like the all-action Tommy Leigh and versatile wide creator Sean McConville for attacking influence. Utility forward Sean Whalley can be fancied to contribute goals, but needs an emergent strike partner. The giant Birmingham City loanee Josh Andrews is a candidate, Matt Lowe likewise who is looking to get off the mark after an injury-hit 2022-23.

Newport County manager Graham Coughlan has faced a repair job this summer. The Exiles finished last season in promising shape, but have been rocked by the departure of key defensive figures in Cameron Norman, Priestley Farquharson, Aaron Lewis and Mickey Demetriou. A newly built backline includes left-sided defenders Ryan Delaney and Kyle Jameson as additions, likewise Newcastle United loanee Matthew Bondswell at left-back and right-sided utility man Shane McLoughlin on the opposite side.

Coughlan will hope that new defensive group replace previous solidity, but he for now will be able to carry confidence in his front options. Striker Omar Bogle finished fourth top scorer in League Two last season with 17 goals. Will Evans forms a decent strike partner, Nathan Wood a lively wide addition, and Seb Palmer-Houlden comesin from Bristol City after an impressive showing at youth level.

Both Accrington Stanley and Newport County look a long way off the finished article yet, a pair of sides tipped by some to be dragged into serious trouble unless new arrivals can prove their worth. With doubts about the defensive structure and shape of the pair as the opening day approaches, there is an opportunity for goals at the Crown Ground.

Hosts Accrington have long held attacking influence from direct play and set pieces, whilst visitors Newport have one of the most accomplished goalscorers at the level. This is a good contender for thriller of the day as League Two begins.

This Sunday game is a really exciting one to look forward to. Both clubs are in a good place ahead of the season and both have exciting squads and a playing philosophy that encourages a great watching experience. Both managers have an attacking philosophy but with control of the ball being a key component of that. It is difficult with it being the first game of the season to work out exactly how the match will pan out.

Sunderland and Tony Mowbray are probably more tactically flexible and have the personnel to play more reactively on the break. However, they are the home team, on the opening day, in front of a sell-out crowd of 48,000 screaming Mackems. It could be tough to resist taking the game to their opponents.

The whole atmosphere should encourage goals and both teams are well capable of providing for a BTTS EFL bet. Ipswich come into this Championship campaign in buoyant mood having plundered 101 goals in League One and also having a positive pre-season under their belts.

The Ipswich squad are absolutely well versed in how McKenna wants them to play and their rate of chances created in the league was obscene. This may prove more difficult in the Championship, but also teams will give them more space in the attacking areas as they look to take them on themselves.

Both teams scored in 61% of Sunderland’s Championship matches last season, way above the average of 48%. This match looks primed to restart this trend with a similar outcome.