MX23RW : Thursday, July 2 05:51:47| >> :120:46178:46178:
Jun 20, 2020 at 3pm UK at Ewood Park
BlackburnBlackburn Rovers
3-1
Bristol CityBristol City
Evans (37'), Adarabioyo (61'), Armstrong (71')
Lenihan (56'), Evans (87')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Paterson (34')
Pereira (12'), Massengo (16')

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

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship clash between promotion contenders Blackburn Rovers and Bristol City, including team news and predicted lineups.

Blackburn Rovers and fellow promotion contenders Bristol City face off at Ewood Park on Saturday afternoon on their return to Championship action.

It is a big game back for both sides following the three-month hiatus, with just two points separating the pair in the race for a top-six finish.


Match preview

Filip Benkovic celebrates scoring for Bristol City against Derby County on February 12, 2020© Reuters

Bristol City, as has become customary in recent times, have faded somewhat after a promising first half to the campaign and find themselves just outside the playoff zone.

The Robins were as high as fourth with 21 games played, but five matches without a win prior to the coronavirus-enforced shutdown has seen them slip to seventh.

Sixth-placed Preston North End are only one point better off, though, so Lee Johnson's men are still very much in the mix for a first ever promotion to the Premier League.

The prolonged hiatus may even prove to be a blessing for City given that they collected only two points from the last 15, coming in back-to-back draws against Millwall and Fulham.

Blackburn's form was not much better, meanwhile, as Tony Mowbray's men went four games without victory and lost 3-0 to Derby County in their most recent outing.

Blackburn Rovers' Sam Gallagher celebrates scoring their first goal with team mates on February 29, 2020© Reuters

However, Rovers have lost just one of their last 14 league games at Ewood Park - 1-0 against Fulham in February - and have the joint-sixth best home record in the division.

The Blue and Whites are 10th in the table, three points off the playoffs with nine matches left to play.

As well as taking on the Robins, Blackburn also still have fixtures to come against four other teams above them in the table, which may yet prove to be a good thing.

This showdown with City takes priority, however, and Mowbray's men are looking to complete a league double in this fixture for the first time since the 2012-13 campaign.

That is thanks to a 2-0 win for Rovers in the reverse meeting six months ago, with Bradley Johnson and Adam Armstrong on target at Ashton Gate.

Blackburn Rovers' Championship form: WWDDDDL

Bristol City's Championship form: WLLLDD


Team News

Blackburn Rovers Bradley Dack celebrates scoring his sides first goal against Brentford on November 27, 2019© Reuters

Blackburn have an injury crisis at full-back, with Amari'i Bell and Darragh Lenihan both out and Greg Cunningham returning to parent club Cardiff City during lockdown.

That could possibly mean the experienced Stewart Downing being tasked with filling in on the left side of defence, with Elliott Bennett on the opposite flank.

John Buckley will play no part for the hosts after being sent off against Derby, but key man Bradley Dack is back in contention after recovering from injury over the three-month break.

Bristol City will be hoping to have Andreas Weimann and Nakhi Wells available after both men sat out the club's final practice match ahead of the restart.

Should they miss out on inclusion, Famara Diedhiou may be asked to lead the line on his own at Ewood Park.

However, Johnson will give Wells, who has scored five goals in 10 league appearances against Blackburn, every chance of being available.

Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:
Walton; Bennett, Nyambe, Adarabioyo, Downing; Travis, Johnson; Gallagher, Dack, Rothwell; Armstrong

Bristol City possible starting lineup:
Bentley; Pereira, Kalas, Benkovic, Dasilva; Paterson, Smith, Massengo, Eliasson; Palmer; Diedhiou


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Blackburn Rovers 1-1 Bristol City

City are on their longest winless run since August 2018, while Blackburn also struggled for wins before the hiatus. Both teams could do with victory to enhance their promotion prospects, but we are expecting this one to finish level.


ID:402940:

Who will win Saturday's Championship clash between Blackburn Rovers and Bristol City?

Blackburn Rovers
Draw
Bristol City
Blackburn Rovers
53.8%
Draw
15.4%
Bristol City
30.8%
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Blackburn Rovers' manager Tony Mowbray pictured on August 20, 2019
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rhs 2.0
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds40229960332775
2West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom402014667382974
3Brentford402091170333769
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest401813953401367
5Fulham4019101154441067
6Cardiff CityCardiff40151695751661
7Derby CountyDerby401612125552360
8Swansea CitySwansea401415115047357
9Preston North EndPreston40169155250257
10Blackburn RoversBlackburn401511145550556
11Millwall401317104744356
12Bristol City401510155359-655
13Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds401410164954-552
14Wigan AthleticWigan401311164550-550
15Queens Park RangersQPR40148185966-750
16Reading401310174848049
17Birmingham CityBirmingham401213155163-1249
18Charlton AthleticCharlton401210184654-846
19Huddersfield TownHuddersfield40129194963-1445
20Middlesbrough391014153950-1144
21Stoke CityStoke40127215061-1143
22Hull City39119195267-1542
23Barnsley401011194562-1741
24Luton TownLuton40117224673-2740

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