Sorry to disappoint any Blackburn fans who are reading, but my match preview won't involve any confused references to bestiality. Blackburn's recent form has been inconsistent, similar to ours, however their run of recent fixtures have been arguably kinder. They come into this game off the back of defeats to Preston and QPR, meaning they're one of the 5 teams on 39 points. They're ahead of us because of their significantly better goal difference. They have the 12th best away record in the league (matching our 12 best home record). They've lost 4 of their last 6 aways by a single goal. Since the turn of the century, we've won 3, drawn 2 and lost 2 at home to Blackburn. We're also unbeaten in our last 3 home ties with them, scoring twice in each of them. We also had a 5-1 home triumph over them back in 2000, with reds legends Bruce Dyer, Darren Barnard, Craig Hignett and Neil Shipperley amongst the goals. I heard yesterday that Blackburn don't like pressing teams, and have 10 injuries according to flash scores. Because of that, I fancy us to win this one. I'm going for 3-1, with Morris, Dike and Woodrow amongst the goals.
No disrespect to Blackburn, but I can't see anything other than a home win tonight. It's also about time we gave someone a Damn Good Thrashing. 4-0
Impossible to predict any Blackburn game, there is no logic or pattern to their results, other than the fact they bottle it whenever they get close to the play offs. Of their injuries, I think there's only really Ayala, possibly Johnson who would be in their first 11, and they signed 2 CBs to cover Ayala in the last window. If we can press with the same energy as the last couple of games, we should create chances for ourselves, it's a case of whether we take them. Chaplin's goal on Sunday and Brittain's chance against Chelsea show how a bit of luck is needed. Both shots at the keeper, one bounced out while the other bounced away. Look out for Gallagher or Nyambe taking on Andersen for pace, and throwing themselves to ground as soon as they feel Mads' arm go anywhere near them, like Toney on Sunday.
I Always get a bit tetchy when the odds are seemingly stacked in our favour. Whilst feeling really confident of a win, There’s this little nagging doubt keeps popping up. 2-1 us