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

Third-placed Blackburn Rovers head into Saturday's fixture with Millwall looking to end a four-match winless streak in the Championship.

Although Millwall find themselves down in 14th position in the standings, victory at Ewood Park would move the Lions to within eight points of their hosts with a game in hand.

Match preview

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For a team which possesses the fourth-best attacking record in the division, few people would have envisaged Blackburn going four Championship fixtures without a goal.

That is extended to just two strikes from eight second-tier outings since the start of the year, and such a poor return may have left Tony Mowbray feeling relieved that his team were able to claim a goalless draw at West Bromwich Albion last time out.

The game at The Hawthorns was not easy on the eye, but the stalemate kept Rovers eight points above their opponents, who now occupy ninth spot.

While Ben Brereton Diaz went off with a knock at the Baggies, Blackburn may be able to call upon the Chile international in the foreseeable future, but Mowbray needs more than goals from his leading marksman.

Despite their recent form, Blackburn remain with the second-best home record in the division, winning 10 of their 16 matches at Ewood Park.

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After losing three successive games at the start of the year, mid-table obscurity for Millwall looked a foregone conclusion, but that perception is slowing changing.

Gary Rowett's team have since collected 10 points from a possible 15, theoretically moving the East Londoners to within a win of progressing into the top 10.

Although it will remain a case of taking one game at a time, continuing to collect points at two points per match will give Millwall every chance of ending the campaign in the playoffs.

Mason Bennett has chipped in with three goals from five appearances, with Millwall keeping three clean sheets during the same fixtures.

Team News

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Mowbray revealed at Thursday's press conference that Brereton Diaz will miss out this weekend with a twisted ankle.

Darragh Lenihan will return to the backline, likely taking the place of Ryan Nyambe, who could switch to right wing-back to get the nod over Joe Rankin-Costello.

Tyrhys Dolan is pushing for a start after making two substitute outings since his return to the squad.

Tyler Burey is in line for his first Championship start of the campaign as a replacement for the injured Oliver Burke.

Barring any further fitness issues, the rest of the Millwall XI could stay the same, with George Saville having to make do with a spot among the replacements.

Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:
Kaminski; Lenihan, Van Hecke, Wharton; Nyambe, Travis, Rothwell, Giles; Buckley; Khadra, Gallagher

Millwall possible starting lineup:
Bialkowski; Hutchinson, Cooper, M. Wallace; McNamara, Kieftenbeld, Mitchell, Malone; J. Wallace, Burey; Bennett

We say: Blackburn Rovers 2-1 Millwall

This has all the makings of a hard-fought game, one which Millwall will feel they are favourites to win based on current form. Nevertheless, we are backing the home side to edge this one by the odd goal in three, aware that anything other than three points will only offer encourage to the teams below them.

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