Championship Gameweek 31
Feb 8, 2020 3.00pm
0
1
HT : 0 0
FT Ewood Park
  • goal Aleksandar Mitrovic 65'
  • yellowcard Bobby Reid 79'

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

Blackburn vs. Fulham - prediction, team news, lineups

Playoff-chasing Blackburn Rovers host third-placed Fulham as two sides in good form clash at Ewood Park on Saturday.

Both sides are unbeaten in four league games and will be looking to extend their respective runs as they chase promotion.


Match preview

Blackburn are 10th in the Championship table and six points off the playoffs, but they are in good form and will hope to continue to put pressure on the teams ahead of them.

Tony Mowbray's side are the joint-second highest scorers in the league outside the top six, with 43 strikes in 30 games - just two behind Fulham's total and level with Preston North End.

After a mixed start to the campaign, Blackburn have been in excellent form, losing just two of their last 14 league outings - a run that stretches back to late November.

Rovers will be hoping to exact revenge for the 2-0 defeat they suffered at Craven Cottage in the reverse fixture earlier this season, when Tom Cairney and Aleksandar Mitrovic struck either side of half-time.

Fulham are having a strong campaign of their own and find themselves just three points off the automatic promotion places after a run of three wins in their last four league games.

Scott Parker's side have lost just one of their last seven outings, winning four times and failing to score just once as they look to leapfrog one of Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion.

The London outfit have been strong at both ends of the pitch, boasting the fifth-best scoring record and the fourth-best defensive record in the division so far.

Fulham have an outside chance of going second with a win, but Leeds would need to lose to Nottingham Forest and boast a superior goal-difference.

Blackburn Rovers Championship form: LLDWWD Blackburn Rovers form (all competitions): LLDWWD

Fulham Championship form: WLWWDW Fulham form (all competitions): WWWDLW


Team News

Blackburn boss Mowbray has a lengthy injury list to contend with ahead of Fulham's visit to Ewood Park.

Bradley Dack, Joe Grayson and Greg Cunningham have all been ruled out for the rest of the season with serious injuries.

Meanwhile, Lewis Holtby, Joe Rothwell, Bradley Lyons and Corry Evans are all unavailable for the game.

Fulham manager Parker has far less to be concerned about on the injury front.

Maxime Le Marchand is out, while Anthony Knockaert and Harrison Reed are both being assessed and have an outside chance of featuring.

Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup: Walton; Nyambe, Lenihan, Adarabioyo, Bell; Travis, Downing; Gallagher, Bennett, Rankin-Costello; Armstrong

Fulham possible starting lineup: Rodak; Christie, Hector, Odoi, Bryan; Onomah, McDonald, Cairney; Cavaleiro, Mitrovic, Reid


We say: Blackburn Rovers 1-1 Fulham

Two good sides in good form meet in this one and, while Fulham have the edge in personnel and quality, Blackburn's home advantage may be just enough for both teams to cancel each other out and maintain their respective unbeaten runs.


Written by

POLL
Who will win Saturday's Championship clash between Blackburn Rovers and Fulham?
Blackburn Rovers 12%
Draw 19%
Fulham 69%
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