Meet the opposition | Blackburn Rovers
As Swansea City prepare to welcome Blackburn Rovers to the Liberty Stadium, we take a closer look at the visitors from Lancashire.
What's their story?
Now in their third season back in the Championship, Blackburn are aiming to build on consecutive mid-table finishes.
Blackburn are one of only six sides to don the Premier League crown, having beaten Manchester United to the title by a single point in 1994-95, although they have not been in the top-flight for nearly a decade after relegation in 2012.
They had previously won the top-flight title in 1912 and 1914, and have won six FA Cups and one League Cup.
How's their form?
Blackburn are the leading scorers in the Championship with 18 goals from their opening eight games.
But only Coventry and Wycombe have conceded more than Rovers, who have shipped seven in their last three outings.
Mowbray’s side recorded impressive 5-0 and 4-0 victories over Wycombe and Derby respectively, but have been beaten in three of their five games since.
However, their last outing on the road did bring a 4-0 thrashing of newly-promoted Coventry.
Who's the boss?
The experienced Mowbray is now into his fourth full season in charge at Ewood Park, having taken over the reins in February 2017.
The former defender turned out for Middlesbrough, Celtic and Ipswich Town during his 18-year playing career, in which he racked up over 500 appearances and won three promotions.
Mowbray has also had spells with Ipswich, Celtic and Boro as a manager, as well as Hibernian, Coventry and West Brom, who he guided to the Championship title in 2008.
Who's the captain?
Bennett is set to miss today’s game as he continues his recovery from an ankle ligament injury that has ruled him out for the remainder of 2020.
The midfielder is approaching five years at Ewood Park, where he has made just under 200 appearances in all competitions.
Bennett, who began his career at Wolves, has also represented Crewe, Bury, Brighton and Bristol City in the EFL, while playing over 50 times in the Premier League for Norwich City.
Who are the key men?
Blackburn boast the Championship’s leading marksman in Adam Armstrong, who has already netted nine goals in eight games.
Those include a hat-trick in the 5-0 rout of Wycombe, and the former Newcastle striker is well on the way to beating last season’s total of 17 in all competitions.
The experienced Bradley Johnson has added a further three goals from midfield, while youngster Tyrhys Dolan has also made a positive start to the campaign, as has Harvey Elliott since completing his loan move from Liverpool.
