Preview: Blackburn Rovers vs. Brentford

If Blackburn Rovers are to stand any chance of making a late charge for the Championship's playoff places, victory over Brentford tomorrow night is essential.

Gary Bowyer's side have won three league games in a row to move within eight points of the Bees, who occupy the final top-six place with nine games of the season remaining.

Rovers are still in the FA Cup as well and with their quarter-final replay against Liverpool not for another three weeks, Bowyer could go all out in a game which is vital for any outside playoff hopes.

In recent weeks he has picked one of Jordan Rhodes and Rudy Gestede in attack, but the pair could start together against a Brentford side who have kept just nine clean sheets this season.

Rumours linking Rhodes with a loan move away have quietened and following his brace in Saturday's 3-1 win at Charlton Athletic, the Scotland international has now scored six goals in his last six starts.

Rovers win at The Valley was an impressive one considering that Charlton had won their previous three games, but it came at a cost with Doneil Henry, Lee Williamson and Craig Conway suffering injuries.

Williamson is the most likely to shake off his groin problem, but Bowyer might have the pain eased by being able to recall Matthew Kilgallon and Marcus Olsson.

While Blackburn are flying in the league, Brentford are just about holding on to their place in the playoffs following a run of one win in four games.

Saturday's 2-1 defeat at home to nine-man Cardiff City saw Mark Warburton's side fall seven points behind the pacesetting trio of Bournemouth, Watford and Middlesbrough and a playoff berth is now their only realistic way of getting promoted.

Both Cardiff goals would have been very avoidable from Warburton's point of view and the Bees have now made as many errors leading directly to a goal (9) as anyone else this season.

Despite the disappointing result, Warburton could go with the same XI that started against the Bluebirds. Alan Judge and Chris Long are the most likely to earn recalls.

Blackburn have picked up 22 out of a possible 24 points in their last eight home league games against Brentford, but the reverse went in the Bees' favour as they won 3-1 in mid-December.

Blackburn:

Form in Championship: DLDWWW Form in all competitions: LDWDWW

Possible starting lineup: Steele; Henley, Kilgallon, Baptiste, Spurr; Taylor, Williamson, Cairney, Marshall; Gestede, Rhodes

Brentford:

Recent form: WWLWDL

Possible starting lineup: Button; Odubajo, Tarkowski, Dean, Bidwell; Douglas, Diagouraga; Jota, Pritchard, Dallas; Gray

Sports Mole says: 2-2