Rovers will be hoping for a fast start against The Tigers at Ewood Park, with the grumblings of discontent among the supporters showing no signs of easing.

The Lancashire outfit’s relegation last May was the culmination of a hugely disappointing season both on and off the pitch.

On it Steve Kean’s men struggled to find any consistency, while off it, the fans loudly voiced their opposition to both Kean and the club’s Indian owners, Venky’s.

The atmosphere around Ewood was poisonous, unpleasant and at times aggressive. Kean will be all too aware that a poor start against Hull will see the moans and groans return.

Rovers have been busy in the transfer market so far this summer in a bid to ensure immediate promotion, bringing in eight new players, including Colin Kazim-Richards, Nuno Gomes, Danny Murphy, Leon Best and Dickson Etuhu.

Four made their debuts against Ipswich on Saturday with one of those, Kazim-Richards, giving Rovers the lead (Kazim-Richards 11/2 to score first on Wednesday).

That looked to be enough for Rovers but they paid the price for sitting back and trying to hang onto their lead when Ryan Lowe scored a late own-goal to ensure a share of the spoils.

Co-owners Balaji Rao and Venkatesh Rao as well as global adviser Shebby Singh watched the game against the Tractor Boys amid speculation Kean may lose his job should Rovers make a poor start.

Singh even had to apologise over the summer when he suggested Kean would be sacked if Rovers lost three games in a row while speaking at a fans’ forum.

It all means there will be nerves aplenty upon kick-off in Lancashire, with the atmosphere once again threatening to turn toxic if the home side make a poor start.

Hull will be no doubt aware of that and will look to capitalise on the disharmony on the terraces by striking early.

The Tigers travel across the Pennines on a high after a 1-0 victory over Brighton at the KC Stadium on Saturday. Jay Simpson came off the bench to grab the only goal at the KC and is handily priced at  15/2 to do so again.

Boss Steve Bruce arrived earlier in the summer charged with launching a sustained promotion bid this season and he has already brought in six new players – Nick Proschwitz, Sone Aluko, Alex Bruce, Abdoulaye Faye, Ben Amos and Eldin Jakupovic.

With at least two more expected to follow before the deadline and a run of just one defeat in seven games in pre-season, the club look well set to claim their first win at Blackburn since 1986.

Their odds of 3/1 appear great value given Blackburn’s off-field disharmony, with even more value found in the half time/full time markets.

Blackburn and their fans will be nervous, while Hull will be determined to capitalise on that so a strong opening from the visitors is likely. A Hull City double half time/full time result has great odds of 6/1 and appears the value bet in this encounter.

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Aston Villa

Back in March, Carlo Ancelotti’s side ran riot at Stamford Bridge and condemned Villa to their heaviest defeat for 24 years.

Young was part of former manager Martin O’Neill’s side that day, but claims that defeat has “no relevance” ahead of the two teams meeting at Villa Park at the weekend.

Gerard Houllier has begun masterminding a revolution at the club since taking charge in September, introducing double training sessions at Villa (19/5 to beat Chelsea, draw 5/2) to improve the players’ fitness and preparing them for a new brand of attacking, passion football he wants them to play.

Results have improved since he took over, despite their loss to Spurs last time out, and they sit in eighth in the table – though are a distant eight points behind Chelsea (8/13 to win Premier League title) after only seven games.

The west London outfit have been impressive going forward so far this season, and already have a mammoth plus-21 goal difference already.

Despite this, veteran defender Young claims there is “nothing to be daunted about” for Villa.

He told the Birmingham Mail: “They’ve been scoring bundles of goals.

“They’re always a good side and one we’ve got to be at our best against.

“But if we put in a performance like the one we did at Spurs we won’t be far short of picking up some points. You know whenever you play any of the top sides it’s going to be a tough game.

“We’re at home and hopefully we can build upon the results we have had at home so far.”

Chelsea go into the game sweating over the fitness of their captain John Terry after he sustained a back problem that forced him out of England duty in midweek.

He is doubtful for the clash and with Alex and Jeffrey Bruma already out injured, Ancelotti may have to call on Paulo Ferreira or Jose Bosingwa – the latter has not played since sustaining a terrible knee against Villa 12 months ago.

It is expected that Frank Lampard (7/1 to be first goalscorer) will return to the first team after being out with a hernia problem since the end of August as Chelsea look to preserve their four-point lead over Manchester City (15/2 to win title) at the top of the Premier League table.

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.