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

Blackburn Rovers play host to Huddersfield Town on Sunday afternoon with the opportunity to move into second place in the Championship standings.

However, while Rovers have posted six victories in succession, the visitors have put together their own three-match winning streak, moving them back into the playoff mix.

Match preview

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Such has been Blackburn's level of performance over recent weeks that there was an air of frustration when they were only level with struggling Barnsley at half time of Wednesday night's fixture at Ewood Park.

Nevertheless, Ben Brereton Diaz stepped up with yet another decisive goal, the Chile international netting his 20th league strike of the campaign to extend Blackburn's remarkable upturn in results.

Tony Mowbray's team now have 28 points from a possible 33 since October 23, and avoiding defeat on Sunday will see them overtake second-placed Fulham.

With the Cottagers possessing games in hand, Mowbray will not place too much focus on moving higher in the standings, but another positive result would break up the long-time status quo in the automatic promotion spots.

Rovers also head into this contest with the best home record in the division, collecting 30 points from their 13 fixtures at Ewood Park.

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However, they face opponents in Huddersfield who are on their best run of the season, the Terriers putting together a five-game unbeaten streak.

A total of 11 points have come during that period, significantly helped by three successive wins, the latest coming at Nottingham Forest on Thursday evening.

Duane Holmes's 30th-minute effort proved to be the difference at the City Ground, moving Huddersfield into the playoff spots and five points clear of their opponents on the night.

Carlos Corberan will not be getting carried away, with Huddersfield known for their inconsistency under his guidance, but keeping their first clean sheet since November 20 has provided the backline with a confidence boost ahead of the most daunting trip in the division.

Team News

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Barring any unforeseen selection issues, Mowbray may feel that he has no reason to make any alterations to his Blackburn XI.

While Sam Gallagher is pushing for a return in the final third, Mowbray will not want to break up the partnership of Brereton Diaz and Reda Khadra.

Danny Ward is unlikely to start for Huddersfield after feeling unwell during the early stages of the game on Thursday night.

Although Jordan Rhodes replaced him on that occasion, Josh Koroma or Fraizer Campbell may get the nod for this fixture.

Naby Sarr is expected to miss out with a back injury, while Tom Lees is unlikely to be risked due to the head injury that he sustained on Boxing Day.

Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:

Kaminski; Lenihan, Van Hecke, Wharton; Nyambe, Travis, Rothwell, Pickering; Buckley; Brereton, Khadra

Huddersfield Town possible starting lineup:

Nicholls; Turton, Pearson, Colwill, Toffolo; High, O'Brien; Thomas, Sinani, Holmes; Koroma

We say: Blackburn Rovers 3-1 Huddersfield Town

Even when taking Huddersfield's recent resurgence into consideration, it is impossible to back against Blackburn right now. We do not think they will have it all their own way on Sunday, but Rovers should have enough quality to eventually run out convincing winners.