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

At a time when the Clarets are 10 points clear of second-placed Sheffield United, Blackburn have recently dropped down to eighth position in the standings.

Match preview

Earlier in the month, Burnley would have envisaged being crowned Championship winners and holding the opportunity to move into three figures in the table as they prepared to travel to Ewood Park.

However, after a three-game streak without success, Vincent Kompany's side are still looking to wrap up the second-tier crown, the current gap standing at 10 points with Sheffield United having four games yet to play.

Failing to defeat either Reading, Rotherham United and Queens Park Rangers has taken the shine off Burnley's campaign, the Clarets being required to win their final three fixtures to reach 101 points.

That all said, being able to seal the title at the home of their rivals represents a blessing in disguise on some level, Kompany able to point to the occasion as a way to regain their focus.

Burnley lost their undefeated home record at the weekend as they succumbed 2-1 to QPR at Turf Moor, but they have not lost on their travels in the league since November.

Jon Dahl Tomasson will also hope that this is the kind of fixture where Blackburn can get back on track after failing to emerge victorious from any of their last six games.

To make matters worse, Rovers have conceded last-gasp equalisers in each of their most recent two outings to Coventry City and Preston North End respectively.

With Luton Town and Millwall still to come, Blackburn have the toughest run-in of all their rivals at a time when they now sit outside of the top six on goal difference.

Although Blackburn still possess the fourth-best home record in the league, they have failed to win any of their last three and have scored just 26 times in 21 matches.

Blackburn Rovers Championship form:

L

L

D

D

D

D

Burnley Championship form:

D

W

W

D

D

L

Team News

Using Sammie Szmodics as a false nine worked well for Blackburn at Preston and Tomasson may persist with that strategy versus the leaders.

However, Ben Brereton Diaz will expect to return on one of the flanks, while a recall for Ryan Hedges can also not be ruled out.

Sam Gallagher may potentially be named on the substitutes' bench after missing out at the weekend.

This game may come too soon for Burnley winger Nathan Tella, who is closing in on a return from a hip injury.

Nevertheless, Kompany is expected to make a number of changes with Scott Twine in contention for an outing behind the main striker, with Michael Obafemi and Jay Rodriguez pushing for a start, while Jack Cork should feature in the midfield.

Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:

Pears; Rankin-Costello, Carter, Hyam, Pickering; Travis, Morton, Wharton; Thomas, Szmodics, Brereton Diaz

Burnley possible starting lineup:

Muric; Roberts, Harwood-Bellis, Beyer, Maatsen; Cork, Cullen; Manuel, Twine, Zaroury; Obafemi

We say: Blackburn Rovers 1-2 Burnley

With both teams having struggled for wins of late, this fixture between two rivals could prove to be a scrappy affair. Nevertheless, Burnley should have refocused for this fixture, and we feel that the visitors will battle their way to a win by the odd goal in three.

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