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

Blackburn Rovers will be looking to take a massive leap towards a top-six finish when they welcome Coventry City to Ewood Park on Wednesday night in the Championship.

Rovers missed the chance to extend their lead on the playoff-chasing pack after drawing with Hull City, whilst Coventry expertly dispatched Queens Park Rangers on their travels.

Match preview

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Blackburn's winless run in the Championship extended to four matches on Saturday as they were unable to take maximum points off Liam Rosenior's Tiger at Ewood Park.

Rovers are enduring their poorest run of form at the worst possible time, with the six-strong pack chasing the playoffs closing in even more every time the Lancashire club fail to win.

Jon Dahl Tomasson's side are sixth in the second-tier standings, just a single point ahead of Wednesday's visitors Coventry - it is safe to say the victor in this contest will be handed a massive advantage in the race for the top six.

The Blackburn faithful at Ewood Park will be looking for Chilean striker Ben Brereton Diaz to produce a moment of magic on Wednesday night, with the 23-year-old linked with a move away from the club given they fail to earn promotion to the Premier League.

Having collected 41 of their 63 Championship points on home soil this season, Tomasson's men will be confident of earning a victory which would put them in good stead to qualify for the playoffs.

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Coventry remain well in the hunt for a top-six berth after beating a relegation-threatened QPR 3-0 at Loftus Road on Saturday afternoon - the Sky Blues' best away result of the month.

Viktor Gyokeres bagged a brace and Gustavo Hamer netted in the 88th minute to make sure all the points returned to the East Midlands, with the visitors in West London limiting the R's to just two shots inside the box.

Mark Robins's men are seventh in the Championship table with four matches left to play and have the exciting opportunity to leapfrog Blackburn into the playoffs with a win on Wednesday night.

Following the takeover of the club by local businessman Doug King at the start of the year, many predicted next season would be when Coventry really pushed for a place in the Premier League - yet there is no time like the present and a trip to Wembley in May could be on the cards.

Team News

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Blackburn midfielder Bradley Dack has suffered another injury setback recently, with the 29-year-old expected to be sidelined until next month due to a hamstring injury.

Rovers also have a pair of absences in the centre-back department, with Clinton Mola and Daniel Ayala out of action with ankle and hamstring issues respectively.

Coventry remain without the creative Callum O'Hare after his cruciate ligament injury in December - Josh Eccles will continue to partner Hamer and Ben Sheaf in the visitors' engine room.

Matt Godden is set to partner top scorer Gyokeres in attack once again for the Sky Blues, although Tyler Walker is pushing for a place in the XI after a cameo at Loftus Road on Saturday afternoon.

Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:

Pears; Rankin-Costello, Hyam, Carter, Pickering; Travis, Morton, Szmodics; Brereton Diaz, Gallagher, Dolan

Coventry City possible starting lineup:

Wilson; McNally, McFadzean, Doyle; Norton-Cuffy, Eccles, Sheaf, Hamer, Bidwell; Godden, Gyokeres

We say: Blackburn Rovers 1-1 Coventry City

Blackburn have failed to convert attractive football into goals and points over recent matches but desperately need to end their winless run if they are to retain a place in the top six.

Coventry will be full of confidence heading into their crunch clash with Rovers in Lancashire, and we believe Robins's men will earn a point for their efforts at Ewood Park.

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