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

Blackburn Rovers play host to Millwall on Saturday afternoon looking for the win which could move the club back into the Championship playoff spots.

However, despite six positions separating the two clubs in the standings, Millwall will edge ahead of their seventh-placed hosts with victory at Ewood Park.

Match preview

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On the back of five defeats in seven matches, Jon Dahl Tomasson cannot claim that everything is going to plan during the early stages of his stint at Blackburn.

Nevertheless, as a consequence of beginning the season with three successive wins, Blackburn remain seventh and three points adrift of third, a scenario which should be regarded as a success.

The legendary Dane will still be disappointed with the manner of his side's 2-0 defeat at Luton Town before the international break, both goals coming during a nine-minute period in the second half.

That setback came four days after an impressive win over Watford, further highlighting Rovers' inconsistency, but there are more positives than negatives to take from their first 10 fixtures.

However, only Ben Brereton Diaz and Lewis Travis have netted more than once in the league this season, something which will need to improve going forward.

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Millwall are in similar form to that of their hosts, suffering four defeats in their last six outings in the second tier.

That said, the Lions have prevailed in two of the most three recent matches, recording hard-fought home victories over Cardiff City and Blackpool respectively.

Gary Rowett's side have accumulated all but one of their 13 Championship points at The Den this season, their only draw on the road coming at Swansea City courtesy of their hosts scoring two own goals in added-on time.

Although Rowett cannot be satisfied with his team's performances this season, the London side head into this contest within touching distance of moving into the playoff spots.

Team News

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Tomasson will almost certainly make a couple of changes to his Blackburn XI with George Hirst pushing for an opportunity down the middle of the attack.

Callum Brittain is expected to return at right wing-back, while a place in the side may be found for Sammie Szmodics who should return to the squad after concussion.

Sam Gallagher will also return to the matchday sqaud but may have to make do with a spot among the replacements.

Although Rowett could be able to call upon Shaun Hutchinson and Mason Bennett, he may be happy to stick with the same team which edged out Blackpool.

That would see the likes of Jake Cooper and George Honeyman retain their places in the Millwall XI.

Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:

Kaminski; Hyam, Ayala, Wharton; Brittain, Travis, Morton, Pickering; Hedges, Hirst, Brereton Diaz

Millwall possible starting lineup:

Long; Cresswell, Cooper, Wallace; Shackleton, Mitchell, Styles, Malone; Honeyman; Flemming, Afobe

We say: Blackburn Rovers 2-1 Millwall

Millwall head into this contest in the better form and will fancy their chances of edging out their hosts. Nevertheless, in a game between two clubs who have just one draw between them this season, we are backing Rovers to bounce back from their latest defeat with success in front of their own supporters.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.