Blackburn Rovers will continue their preparations for the upcoming Championship season when they travel to the Suit Direct Stadium to face Hartlepool United on Wednesday.

Hartlepool, meanwhile, are preparing for their second straight season in League Two after comfortably avoiding relegation last term.

Match preview

After winning promotion from the National League in the 2020-21 season, Hartlepool would have been content with their 17th-placed finish last term.

However, with one season back in the football league under their belt, the League Two side will set their targets a little higher this season.

Paul Hartley has taken over the reins as Hartlepool manager, with the new boss already overseeing four pre-season friendlies, which have yielded two victories, one draw and one defeat.

After losing 2-0 to Hibernian, Hartley's side bounced back with two wins over Billingham Sythonia and Marske United before drawing 1-1 with League One Lincoln City at the weekend

Hartlepool will now turn their attention to friendlies against Blackburn and Sunderland before they begin their League Two campaign away to Walsall.

Meanwhile, Blackburn are preparing for their fifth consecutive season in the Championship after missing out on the playoffs last term.

If Rovers are to mount a playoff push this term then they may have to make a few more additions, with Ethan Walker their only signing of the summer so far.

While Walker has arrived on a free transfer, Blackburn have seen Joe Rothwell and Darragh Lenihan depart for Bournemouth and Middlesbrough respectively.

New Blackburn boss Jon Dahl Tomasson may be slightly underwhelmed with his side's transfer business, but on the pitch they have been busy, with their last two friendlies resulting in draws against Dundee and Celtic.

After facing Scottish opposition, Blackburn will now turn their attention to friendlies against Hartlepool and Lincoln before they face Queens Park Rangers on the opening day of the Championship season.

Team News

Hartlepool have been busy making additions to their squad in the summer and a number of new arrivals could feature on Wednesday, including Reghan Tumilty, Alex Lacey and Brody Patterson.

Rollin Menayese is the latest signing after joining on a season-long loan from Walsall on Monday, and the defender could be on the bench for the midweek friendly.

After scoring the equaliser against Lincoln at the weekend, Tom Crawford is set to retain his spot in the Hartlepool midfield.

As for Blackburn, Thomas Kaminski is expected to keep his place in goal after coming into the starting lineup against Celtic.

Ryan Hedges was given just over 20 minutes on Saturday, but the 27-year-old could get a chance to start Wednesday's friendly against Hartlepool.

Meanwhile, Ben Brereton Diaz will lead the line for the visitors after scoring his first goal of pre-season at the weekend.

Hartlepool United possible starting lineup:
Killip; Tumilty, Niang, Lacey, Ferguson; Cooke, Featherstone, Crawford; Hastie, Paterson, Grey

Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:
Kaminski; Carter, Ayala, S. Wharton, Pickering; Travis, Buckley; Gallagher, Hedges, Vale; Brereton Diaz

We say: Hartlepool United 1-3 Blackburn Rovers

Although Hartlepool are unbeaten in their last three pre-season friendlies, we think that they will struggle against the quality of their Championship opposition.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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