Game used for reference: Sunderland 0-1 Blackburn Rovers, 2024-2025 EFL Championship, Round 44
Blackburn Rovers had a decent campaign last season, finishing seventh in the highly competitive Championship. They're a versatile side that is unafraid to either sit in a mid block or play expansive football.
This style of play was evident when the Rovers faced off against Sunderland in one of the last match weeks of the 2024-2025 season. They liked to build up from the back and pushed their fullbacks higher up the pitch, allowing one of the midfielders to drop into the backline to make a line of three.
The Rovers played with two wingers, an attacking midfielder, and a striker at the front. The CAM would receive the ball with his back turned to goal and would advance with options all around him.
Once Blackburn reached the middle and final thirds and the opposition settled into their out of possession shape, the two wingers would come inside and the fullbacks would advance, creating a line of five that would pin the opposition. Defensively, they were susceptible to counter attacks, but were lucky not to concede.
Everton fans can expect these guiding principles from the Rovers tomorrow, albeit in a rougher capacity, since it's still preseason, of course. Whoever controls the pace of play tomorrow will probably come out as the victor. I'm intrigued to see what midfield Moyes will play with tomorrow, as they will be vital in neutralizing any possible through balls that the Rovers might try to send.
The Toffees will most likely have an abundance of counterattacking opportunities, and I would love to see how Charly Alcaraz and Dwight McNeil manage. McNeil, specifically, could deliver some great crosses from the right side while the Rovers are caught lacking defensively.
Fans should expect this to be a tougher affair than the one against Accrington Stanley, but if Moyes gets his tactics right, Everton might overwhelm the Rovers in all facets of the game. As we all know, results don't matter much at this point; a win would definitely feel good for morale purposes.