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Preview: Blackburn Rovers vs. West Bromwich Albion - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship fixture between Blackburn Rovers and West Bromwich Albion, including team news and predicted lineups.

West Bromwich Albion make the trip to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday afternoon knowing that a fourth victory in succession will move the club to the brink of promotion to the Premier League.

Meanwhile, Rovers welcome the Baggies to Ewood Park aware that they realistically require three points to remain in contention for a place in the Championship playoffs.


Match preview

West Brom manager Slaven Bilic on June 20, 2020© Reuters

After four matches without a win or a goal in the Championship, many were tipping West Brom to eventually be closed down by Brentford after their defeat to the Bees on June 26.

However, the Baggies have since recorded three successive victories and netted nine times, putting them closer to a return to the Premier League after two years away.

Slaven Bilic will stress to both his players and the media that there is still work to do, taking into account that games with Blackburn and Fulham represent stiff tests for his players.

That said, the Croatian will have only taken confidence from the recent performances of some of his flair players, particularly West Ham United loanee Grady Diangana, who appeared to have lost his way.

The playmaker has contributed goals in successive matches for the first time this season and a continuation of that streak, providing that he shakes off an injury, may put West Brom within touching distance of the finishing line.

As far as Blackburn are concerned, three successive defeats have left the North-West outfit regarded as outsiders to claim a spot in the top six.

However, having reacted positively in a high-pressure match at Cardiff City in midweek, Tony Mowbray will be increasingly optimistic about a late surge up the table after closing the gap on the Bluebirds to five points.

Although it took a wonder goal from Adam Armstrong to claim a maximum return, it was a strike which suggested that Blackburn have been given licence to play with a sense of freedom now that they cannot afford any more dropped points.

With West Brom potentially being weighed down by expectation on Saturday afternoon, Mowbray will sense that there is an opportunity to claim a crucial result over one of his former clubs.

Blackburn Rovers Championship form: LWLLLW

West Bromwich Albion Championship form: DDLWWW


Team News

Blackburn Rovers boss Tony Mowbray on June 20, 2020© Reuters

Mowbray must decide whether to keep Joe Rankin-Costello at left-back after the youngster's recent injury issues.

Elliot Bennett is standing by to deputise, but the rest of the Blackburn XI could remain the same.

Although Diangana sustained a knock to his knee in midweek, Bilic is confident that the winger will be available for selection.

Matt Phillips and Callum Robinson are options for the Baggies if Diangana, or Kamil Grosicki, drop out of the side.

Ahmed Hegazi is available again after serving a one-match ban in midweek.

Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:
Walton; Nyambe, Lenihan, Adarabioyo, Bennett; Travis, Downing, Johnson; Samuel, Graham, Armstrong

West Bromwich Albion possible starting lineup:
Johnstone; O'Shea, Ajayi, Bartley, Townsend; Livermore, Sawyers; Diangana, Pereira, Grosicki; Austin


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Blackburn Rovers 1-2 West Bromwich Albion

While Blackburn are on a high after their success in midweek, we feel that West Brom will up their level as they bid to confirm promotion. Although it will likely be a hard-fought contest, the Baggies could edge out their hosts.


ID:405711:

Who will win Saturday's Championship clash between Blackburn Rovers and West Bromwich Albion?

Blackburn Rovers
Draw
West Bromwich Albion
Blackburn Rovers
17.8%
Draw
6.7%
West Bromwich Albion
75.6%
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West Brom manager Slaven Bilic on June 20, 2020
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Slaven Bilic warns West Brom players that promotion pressure will only grow
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CLeeds UnitedLeeds44269970343687
2West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom452216775433282
3Brentford452491279364381
4Fulham4523111163471680
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest4418161057451270
6Cardiff CityCardiff451816116558770
7Swansea CitySwansea451716125852667
8Preston North EndPreston451811165853565
9Millwall451617125350365
10Blackburn RoversBlackburn451712166460463
11Bristol City451711175964-562
12Derby CountyDerby441613155860-261
13Wigan AthleticWigan451513175655158
14Queens Park RangersQPR45169206574-957
15Reading451511195854456
16Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds451511195764-756
17Stoke CityStoke45158225867-953
18Huddersfield TownHuddersfield451312205166-1551
19Middlesbrough451214194660-1450
20Birmingham CityBirmingham451214195372-1950
21Charlton AthleticCharlton451212215061-1148
22Luton TownLuton45139235180-2948
23Hull City45129245784-2745
24Barnsley441013214668-2243

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