Blackburnvs.West Brom

Rovers managed a one-goal success over Swansea City in Lancashire on the weekend, whilst the Baggies' poor run of form continued as they were forced to settle for a point at Oxford United.

Match preview

Following back-to-back away defeats at Coventry City and relegation-threatened Plymouth Argyle prior to the international break, Blackburn Rovers returned to winning ways on Saturday afternoon, when Swansea visited Ewood Park and returned to South Wales with nothing to show for their efforts.

A fast start to the weekend contest resulted in Rovers taking an early lead courtesy of attacking midfielder Tyrhys Dolan, before the hosts held on brilliantly to record a clean sheet against a Swansea side who enjoyed close to 70% possession over the course of the 90 minutes.

After a hard-fought victory last time out, John Eustace's troops have moved up to sixth in the Championship table with 10 matches completed, four points behind league leaders Sunderland and two points ahead of seventh-placed Norwich City, who are currently five games unbeaten.

Rovers' relative success so far this campaign has been based on a formidable record at Ewood Park, as Wednesday's hosts have commenced the term with five straight home league wins for the first time since the 1994-95 season, when they lifted the Premier League title under the stewardship of Kenny Dalglish.

With last season's Golden Boot winner Sammie Szmodics departing for Premier League Ipswich Town over the summer, Blackburn have been relying on a new cohort of attacking talent this time around, including Japanese forward Yuki Ohashi, who has netted four times across 10 Championship appearances.

Since a four-game winning run in the Championship up until September 21, West Bromwich Albion have endured a spell of four matches without victory in the second tier, denying them the honour of leading the promotion-chasing pack in the division after 10 games.

It appeared as if the Baggies were set to return to winning ways on Saturday lunchtime at the Kassam Stadium where Karlan Grant fired the visitors in front during the first half, but newly-promoted Oxford forced a share of the points courtesy of a 92nd-minute header from substitute Dane Scarlett.

Looking to avoid a fifth game without victory on Wednesday night, West Brom have dropped from first to fifth over the past month, with Carlos Corberan's men now four points behind Sunderland and level on points with hosts Blackburn.

Unlike during the past two campaigns, the Baggies have been solid on the road so far in 2024-25, with Albion collecting 10 points from five matches away from The Hawthorns to date, meaning that they boast the best away record in the Championship ahead of their trip to Lancashire.

Each of the last three matches between Blackburn and West Brom at Ewood Park have ended in a 2-1 scoreline, with Rovers winning the most recent pair of battles at their base with the Baggies, including a success on the opening day of last season.

Blackburn Rovers Championship form:

W

D

W

L

L

W

West Bromwich Albion Championship form:

W

W

L

L

D

D

Team News

Blackburn remain without the services of centre-back Scott Wharton, who is expected to be sidelined until the New Year due to a cruciate ligament injury.

Rovers' options in attack are restricted by the absences of Harry Leonard and Zak Gilsenan, with the pair recovering from shoulder and muscle issues respectively.

West Brom striker Daryl Dike is back in first-team training, with the American bagsman targeting a return in November from an Achilles tendon injury.

The Baggies could opt to rotate slightly on Wednesday night, with John Swift and Jed Wallace representing experienced Championship options who might be promoted from the bench.

Despite a lapse in defensive concentration during the final moments at Oxford, Corberan should field an unchanged back four, including centre-back duo Kyle Bartley and Semi Ajayi.

Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:

Pears; Rankin-Costello, Carter, Hyam, Beck; Travis, Tronstad, Hedges, Dolan, Cantwell; Gueye

West Bromwich Albion possible starting lineup:

Palmer; Furlong, Bartley, Ajayi, Heggem; Molumby, Mowatt, Fellows, Swift, Grant; Maja

We say: Blackburn Rovers 1-1 West Bromwich Albion

Boasting a flawless home record so far this season, Blackburn will be confident of enjoying another successful night at Ewood Park on Wednesday.

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