Preview: Blackburn Rovers vs. Hull City - prediction, team news, lineups

Blackburn Rovers play host to Hull City on Saturday afternoon looking for the win which will likely be required to keep the club in the Championship playoff spots.

At a time when Rovers sit in sixth place in the standings, Hull are down in 16th position, albeit on a four-match unbeaten streak.

Match preview

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Although Blackburn have struggled for consistency throughout this season, they have been regarded among the favourites for a playoff spot in the long term.

That still remains the case courtesy of their game in hand, but such has been their drop off in form that they were left delighted with a 2-2 draw at relegation-threatened Huddersfield Town on Easter Monday.

Trailing 2-0 after 22 minutes, Rovers rallied in the second half, finding their equaliser in the closing stages to retain hold of sixth spot.

While Jon Dahl Tomasson will still have concerns about the form of his players, salvaging a point at the John Smith's Stadium could at least kick-start their run-in.

Blackburn, who possess the second-best home record in the division, play four of their remaining six matches at Ewood Park.

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With Championship survival effectively achieved, Hull are now playing to finish as high in the table as possible as they continue to improve under Liam Rosenior.

Just two wins have been recorded in 11 matches, the most recent coming at home to Millwall, but only three defeats have been posted in that time, one of them to leaders Burnley.

Having previously been regulars in and around the bottom three, Hull are now 11 points clear, highlighting the level of job that Rosenior has done at the MKM Stadium.

Hull possess the 12th-best away record in the division but you have to go back to January 2, when they thrashed Wigan Athletic, for the last success on their travels.

Team News

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Ryan Hedges has put himself in contention for a recall to the Blackburn XI after scoring as a substitute versus Huddersfield.

However, Sorba Thomas is also available again after being ineligible to face his parent club, and only one of them will be restored to the team.

That may be at the expense of Lewis Travis, depending on whether Tomasson is prepared to play 18-year-old Adam Wharton in a two-man midfield, while Tyrhys Dolan appears likely to stay in the team ahead of Sam Gallagher.

While not naming names, Rosenior has revealed that Hull are dealing with further injury issues ahead of the visit to Ewood Park.

After his goal versus Millwall, Adama Traore should be involved in midfield or attack, while Callum Elder could be preferred to Jacob Greaves at left-back.

Depending on the fitness of Lewie Coyle, a makeshift solution may be required at right-back.

Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:

Pears; Rankin-Costello, Carter, Hyam, Pickering; Morton, Wharton; Hedges, Szmodics, Brereton-Diaz; Dolan

Hull City possible starting lineup:

Darlow; Coyle, Jones, McLoughlin, Elder; Seri, Slater; Ebiowei, Tufan, Sayyadmanesh; Traore

We say: Blackburn Rovers 2-1 Hull City

Despite Rovers' home record, this should prove to be a competitive encounter as Hull look to end the season on a high. Nevertheless, we are backing the home side to get back to winning ways, giving their promotion bid the kick-start it needs.

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