Blackburn Rovers travel to the bet365 Stadium to face Stoke City on Friday night looking to strengthen their hold of a Championship playoff spot.
At a time when Rovers occupy fourth spot in the standings, four points above seventh place, Stoke are down in 16th position despite an improved run of form.
Match preview
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Given their form at the turn of the year, there was an assumption that Blackburn would be the team to drop out of the promotion race, a consequence of five defeats coming in seven matches.
Since a 4-0 reverse at Rotherham United, however, Blackburn have put together an eight-game unbeaten streak in the second tier, following four successive draws with four victories in a row.
Sixteen points from eight matches is arguably the bare minimum required to remain in the top six, yet it is an impressive feat which has been accompanied by just four goals being conceded.
Having emerged from fixtures where they were deemed to be the favourites, Jon Dahl Tomasson's side backed their form up with a 1-0 triumph over second-placed Sheffield United last time out, although they still sit nine points adrift of the automatic promotion places.
Still, it was an important win in the context of their season, particularly when they face a trip to the Blades in the FA Cup quarter-finals before the international break.
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Meanwhile, Stoke are attempting to end a disappointing season on some sort of a high, even though the perception is that they are simply playing for pride.
As well as sitting 11 points clear of the relegation zone, the Potters are 12 points adrift of the playoffs, and Alex Neil will already be casting one eye to the make-up of his squad for 2023-24.
Nevertheless, that is not to say that Stoke and Neil will not feel the need to keep churning out results having not posted back-to-back victories in the second tier since October.
On a positive note, however, nine points have been collected from five matches, Stoke's most eye-catching result of the season coming last time out as Neil's side defeated his former club Sunderland by a 5-1 scoreline at the Stadium of Light.
Although Stoke's issues have been at the bet365 Stadium this campaign, they have collected seven points from their most recent four encounters on familiar territory.
Team News
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Stoke have been dealt a blow by Matija Sarkic being ruled out for the season, while Ben Wilmot and Ben Pearson are doubts after they suffered injuries during the win at Sunderland.
Of the duo, Pearson is most likely to retain his spot, with the midfielder being withdrawn with cramp and Wilmot sustaining an ankle knock.
As well as Jack Bonham being recalled between the sticks, Morgan Fox and Jordan Thompson are in line to deputise if required in what should otherwise be an unchanged starting lineup.
Barring an injury issues, Tomasson could stick with the same Blackburn XI that started against Sheffield United having had a rare midweek to prepare for this match.
That would see the likes of Tyler Morton and Ben Brereton Diaz have to be content with a spot among the replacements, while Thomas Kaminski and Daniel Ayala are still on the sidelines.
Stoke City possible starting lineup:
Bonham; Hoever, Jagielka, Fox, Sterling; Pearson, Laurent; Brown, Smallbone, Campbell; Gayle
Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:
Pears; Rankin-Costello, Carter, Hyam, Pickering; Travis, Buckley; Thomas, Szmodics, Dolan; Gallagher
We say: Stoke City 1-2 Blackburn Rovers
Despite the difference in league positions, this should be a competitive match between two sides producing some of their best form this season. However, with Stoke possessing a poor home record, we are backing Blackburn to come through in a tight contest, potentially by the odd goal in three.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Darren Plant
