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

Brentford square off against Blackburn Rovers on Friday evening with the opportunity to move back into second place in the Championship standings.

While the Bees have not played for over a week, Blackburn head into their third game in the space of six days after already holding Swansea City to a 1-1 draw on Tuesday night.

Match preview

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On the back of their defeat at leaders Norwich City, Thomas Frank would have had concerns about the trajectory of a side which had started to show clear signs of tiredness.

However, more positive coronavirus cases at Rotherham United gave Brentford a much-needed breather last weekend, something which could prove to be decisive during the closing weeks of the promotion race.

With Blackburn having taken a point off Swansea earlier this week, the Bees can move back into second spot on goal difference, albeit with the Welsh side still possessing a game in hand.

Although Frank and his squad cannot ignore the bigger picture, they will be focused on avoiding a fifth defeat in seven matches, preferably with a much-needed victory.

Brentford have lost three games on their travels in succession, succumbing to Queens Park Rangers and Coventry City before their latest setback at Carrow Road.

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As far as Blackburn are concerned, recent reports have suggested that Tony Mowbray is battling to keep his job in the Ewood Park dugout after his side's recent poor form.

While Rovers still sit in 14th position, claiming four points from games against Millwall and Swansea represents a necessary step in the right direction.

A late burst for the playoffs is realistically out of the question, leaving Mowbray to ensure that the North-West outfit do not get dragged into a battle to avoid relegation.

Rovers have only prevailed in one of their last eight home matches in all competitions, their sole success coming courtesy of a late Adam Armstrong goal versus Luton Town on January 30.

Team News

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Mowbray could opt to keep Armstrong sidelined for one more game as he looks to take no risks on his top goalscorer's hamstring injury.

However, the Rovers boss is expected to freshen up his side, potentially bringing in the likes of Amari'i Bell, Joe Rothwell and Harvey Elliott.

A nine-day break could encourage Frank to stick with the Brentford XI which started the game at Norwich.

Pontus Jansson and Rico Henry remain absent for the Bees as they continue to recover from ankle and hamstring injuries respectively.

Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:
Kaminski; Rankin-Costello, Lenihan, Harwood-Bellis, Bell; Dack, Trybull, Rothwell; Brereton, Dolan, Elliott

Brentford possible starting lineup:
Raya; Dalsgaard, Reid, Pinnock, Bech Sorensen; Jensen, Janelt, Ghoddos; Mbeumo, Toney, Canos

We say: Blackburn Rovers 1-2 Brentford

While Blackburn have improved in recent games, Brentford can only have benefitted from their break in action. With that in mind, the Bees should have the freshness required to outlast their hosts, possibly edging this game in the closing stages.