Preview: Watford vs. Blackburn Rovers

Blackburn Rovers have reasons to be cheerful as they prepare for Saturday's meeting with Championship rivals Watford at Vicarage Road.

At the start of 2015, it looked like Rovers were heading for a tough period as key duo Rudy Gestede and Jordan Rhodes were repeatedly linked with moves to the Premier League.

However, the club managed to resist the temptation to cash in on their strikers in January, and they received a boost when Rhodes netted his first goal of the calendar year in the 2-1 victory over Fulham last weekend.

Gestede may have been vocal about his desire to move to the Premier League, but keeping him alongside an in-form Rhodes could be crucial as Rovers look to keep their playoff hopes alive.

If Gary Bowyer's side are going to book a spot in the playoffs, he'll know that beating the teams around them in the table will be vital, and Watford are one of the sides who stand in their way.

Watford head into Saturday's match in sixth spot, eight points ahead of ninth-placed Rovers, and Slavisa Jokanovic remains hopeful of closing the gap on the teams above them rather than nervously looking over his shoulder.

Transfer deadline day ended without any new recruits, but the good news for Watford supporters is that Gabriele Angella is available for selection after winning his appeal against the red card he received in the opening minute of last Saturday's loss to Bournemouth.

The impressive fight shown in a losing effort against the leaders is likely to persuade Jokanovic to name an unchanged side, while Bowyer could be ready to welcome back Gestede after managing to keep him in the squad.

Watford:

Form in Championship: LWLWWL Form in all competitions: WLLWWL

Possible starting lineup: Gomes, Cathcart, Angella, Hoban, Layun, Munari, Tozser, Watson, Anya, Deeney, Ighalo

Blackburn Rovers:

Form in Championship: LDLDLW Form in all competitions: WLDWLW

Possible starting lineup: Steele, Lowe, Hanley, Kilgallon, Olsson, Marshall, Evans, Spearing, Conway, Rhodes, Gestede

Sports Mole says: 2-1