Boro v Rovers

Well we are finally into the final countdown as this time in less than 24 hours we will know the outcome of our first game of the season; and let`s hope that it is somewhat more favourable than our last two opening games.

All questions will be answered; who will be in the starting line-up, what`s the first choice strike pairing, who will partner Robbie Savage in midfield, is God and his Wall as impenetrable as we think? The waiting, deliberating and debating is over.

A summer, quiet for Rovers when compared to our rivals who have spent lavishly, is at an end and the friendlys are out of the way…roll on the real stuff!

Many anticipate that clubs such as West Ham, Portsmouth, Newcastle and Man City are about to embark on a successful campaign due to the new recruits added to average squads, however, my tip will be to watch those teams sneaking under the radar at their own pace and two of them come face to face at the Riverside on Saturday.

This is likely to be a fixture that most neutrals won`t give a second glance to but I fancy teams such as Rovers and Middlesbrough to enjoy successful campaigns, and with this in mind predict that Rovers will end one run and prolong another.

Both clubs have spent modestly in the summer and made some wise acquisitions as well as an enigma. Boro have recruited the largely unknown entity in Sanli Tuncay and Rovers have gambled on Bayern Munich`s unfulfilled forgotten man Roque Santa Cruz. Both players are technically sound and will offer some continental flair, in fact I tip Tuncay to be one of the signings of the summer, such is the potential of his skills.

However, whereas Tuncay looks set to start on Saturday it remains to be seen whether or not Hughes will blood his new attacking charge or stick with the telepathic partnership of Jason Roberts and last season`s Premiership second top goal-scorer, Benni McCarthy.

Rovers are traditionally slow starters but seem to have a habit of beating 'Boro these days. Alas, I think both trends will come to an end on Saturday as both sides begin their campaign with a point.

However, the fact that Rovers have already played two 'competitive` games may work in their favour.

The Premiership is back, the fervent buzz of excitement can be felt all across the country and the sun has positioned itself for front row tickets. So come on Rovers fans, pull on the famous blue and white halves and wake to the rousing anthem of the Final Countdown as we cheer on Rovers for another action packed, passionate season in the footballing world`s number one league.

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate on his side having lost the last five games against Blackburn:
'I don't think it will mean anything to our players, especially as we now have a lot of different players in the team. The past doesn't matter. We have prepared to try to win a game of football and that is all that we are thinking about.
'We know that Blackburn have dangerous players but then so does every team in the Premiership, including ourselves. Bearing in mind the way we want to play, I am more thinking about hurting Blackburn rather than what they may do to us.'
The Admiral on avoiding a third straight defeat on the opening day of the season:
'A good start is very important and we've not had that in the past. We haven't put points on the board early, we've always taken until Christmas before we've caught up and started to kick on. But this season we are motivated to put that right and start well.'

Hughes on squad strength and solidaity:
" I think we are stronger at this point than we were last year,' said Hughes. 'We had lost Ryan Nelsen and Steven Reid to long-term injuries at this point last year, so having added to the squad and welcomed guys back from long-term injuries during the season as well, we are certainly a lot stronger.
'I think as a group, we are stronger as well, because we've been together for a couple of seasons now. And I think that is important given all the swaps and changes that possibly other clubs are going through.'