Preview: Huddersfield Town vs. Blackburn Rovers - prediction, team news, lineups

Huddersfield Town play host to Blackburn Rovers on Easter Monday looking to build on moving outside of the Championship relegation zone for the first time since August.

Meanwhile, Blackburn make the trip to the John Smith's Stadium holding just a one-point advantage in the race for the playoffs.

Match preview

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There was a time not so long ago when Huddersfield looked all but relegated, the Terriers remaining in the relegation zone and on a five-match winless streak.

Since then, however, Neil Warnock's has inspired an astonishing turnaround with Huddersfield beating promotion contenders in Millwall, Middlesbrough and Watford.

As well as keeping a clean sheet at The Den, Huddersfield have overturned deficits to beat the latter two teams, scoring seven goals in the process.

The Yorkshire outfit now occupy 20th spot in the table, just two points adrift of 18th-placed Rotherham United but only one point ahead of 22nd-placed Reading.

Points deductions for two of their rivals have naturally helped Huddersfield's cause, yet their own remarkable form has potentially left them a win away from giving themselves some considerable breathing space.

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Blackburn had that in reserve in March in their effort to secure a playoff spot, but Jon Dahl Tomasson's side now face a test of character heading further into the run-in.

Rovers have lost three of their most recent four matches, their last defeat coming at home to nearest challengers Norwich City at Ewood Park.

A buoyant Canaries will now feel that they are favourites to topple Blackburn in the playoff race, while Tomasson's side also sit just three points ahead of ninth-placed Coventry City.

Blackburn also possess one of the worst away records of the top teams in the division, losing 11 of their 20 games and collecting just 21 points.

Team News

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While Warnock may prefer to name an unchanged Huddersfield XI, he will weigh up the fitness of his players before making a decision.

Ben Jackson, Brahima Diarra and Jordan Rhodes will all come into contention if Warnock feels that Huddersfield require fresh legs in different areas of the pitch.

Although Kian Harratt came off the substitutes' bench to score a crucial goal on Friday, the youngster is unlikely to be handed a start.

Tomasson will feel obliged to make alterations to his Blackburn side with Callum Brittain and Tyrhys Dolan in contention for recalls.

Scott Wharton may also be considered for a return at centre-back, replacing either Hayden Carter or Dominic Hyam, but Daniel Ayala remains sidelined through injury and Sorba Thomas cannot face his parent club.

Huddersfield Town possible starting lineup:

Vaclik; Lees, Helik, Pearson; Edmonds-Green, Hogg, Kasumu, Ruffels; Rudoni; Ward, Koroma

Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:

Pears; Brittain, Carter, Hyam, Pickering; Travis, Morton; Dolan, Szmodics, Brereton Diaz; Gallagher

We say: Huddersfield Town 1-1 Blackburn Rovers

Given their recent contrasting results, there is a strong argument that Huddersfield are the favourites to win this fixture. Nevertheless, we cannot ignore Blackburn's need to get back on track, the feeling being that they will do enough to earn a share of the spoils in a competitive match.

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