Blackburn Rovers will be looking to extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to eight matches when they host strugglers Blackpool at Ewood Park on Tuesday night in the Championship.
Both sides are coming into this clash after home wins last time out, with three points in this one being crucial for their respective promotion and survival aims this season.
Match preview
© Reuters
After three-straight draws against Wigan Athletic, Watford and West Bromwich Albion to begin February, the emphasis was on Blackburn to earn their first maximum of the month versus a Swansea City side struggling following the departure of Michael Obafemi during the January transfer window.
It looked for 89 minutes that Rovers would have to settle for a fourth stalemate in succession, but centre-back Daniel Ayala had other ideas, with the Spaniard connecting with Dominic Hyam's cross from a corner to secure three points in the Championship for the first time since New Year's Day.
Despite only having two second-tier wins to their name in 2023, Jon Dahl Tomasson's men are seventh in the league standings and level on points with sixth-placed Millwall, with many fans believing this campaign could be their best chance to finish in the playoffs since promotion from League One in 2018.
The Lancashire-based club have made Ewood Park a fortress this season, having won 10 of their 15 league fixtures on familiar territory, with only league leaders Burnley achieving more wins in front of their home faithful this term.
Although Chilean Ben Brereton Diaz is not quite performing to the levels he showed last season for Rovers, the competitive nature of the playoff race this campaign is allowing Blackburn to remain in the hunt even though many of their star men are not setting the world alight.
© Reuters
After four games without a Championship win for new Blackpool boss Mick McCarthy, his Tangerines managed to earn three points for the first time during the 64-year-old's short reign, beating Stoke City 1-0 at Bloomfield Road.
The visiting Potters had almost four times as many shots as McCarthy's men, who themselves only mustered up a single strike on target, but that solitary effort on goal was enough for the victory - with Ian Poveda scoring from outside the box after seven minutes.
With relegation rivals Cardiff City and Huddersfield Town also earning wins on the weekend, Blackpool have joined a trio of clubs at the foot of the second-tier table on 31 points, and are now two points behind 21st-placed Rotherham United.
The Seasiders have lost their last four away matches in all competitions and are without a win on their travels since the trip to Coventry City in late October, a day on which second-half goals from Gary Madine and Jerry Yates completed a comeback in the West Midlands.
McCarthy will be keenly aware of how Blackpool's fellow strugglers have perked up since making their own switches in management over the past month, with all signs pointing towards an arduous survival scrap in the Seasiders' final 14 matches.
Team News
© Reuters
Blackburn have two major doubts for Tuesday's meeting with Blackpool after Brereton Diaz and midfielder Bradley Dack were both forced off with injuries in the closing stages on Saturday afternoon, meaning that the likes of Ryan Hedges and Sammie Szmodics could be handed starting berths.
Scott Wharton remains sidelined for Rovers due to a calf injury sustained at West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday, whereas Joe Rankin-Costello is in contention to return to the matchday squad after his knock.
Blackpool forward Madine will serve the final match of his four-game suspension for a red card picked up in the 2-2 draw with Huddersfield earlier this month.
Midfielder Lewis Fiorini managed 45 minutes on Saturday during his first appearance for the Tangerines since August, and the 20-year-old should be handed a second-straight start at Ewood Park after impressing.
Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:
Pears; Thomas, Carter, Ayala, Hyam, Pickering; Dolan, Travis, Buckey, Hedges; Gallagher
Blackpool possible starting lineup:
Maxwell; Gabriel, Connolly, Nelson, Husband; Dougall, Fiorini, Poveda, Carey, Rogers; Yates
We say: Blackburn Rovers 1-0 Blackpool
Blackburn have slowly returned to form over the past few weeks and will be looking to peak at the right time in order to finish in the top six this season.
Blackpool boss McCarthy was emotional after achieving his first victory as the Seasiders' boss, with all that mental and physical effort they exerted on Saturday perhaps lowering their chances of a result on Tuesday night.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Carter White
