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

Despite these clubs sitting in 17th and 16th position in the standings respectively, they now sit just two points clear of the relegation zone.

Match preview

While John Eustace still feels like a shrewd appointment made by Blackburn, the former Birmingham City boss is still awaiting his first win.

Four draws have come from his opening six matches in charge, yet Rovers cannot be satisfied having squandered opportunities to put some daylight between themselves and the bottom three.

The one positive from Tuesday night was coming from behind to earn a 1-1 draw with Millwall, securing a result that keeps them ahead of the 18th-placed side.

Nevertheless, the teams are lining up behind them, Rovers sitting in 17th but with just a two-point advantage over second-from-bottom Sheffield Wednesday.

Rovers also have the most testing run-in of all the teams in the division, making games such as the one with Plymouth as crucial in their effort to avoid the drop.

Plymouth find themselves in a similar position to their hosts, with Ian Foster's side having been sucked back into the pack by the teams below them.

Losing 1-0 to Sheffield Wednesday in midweek has left the Pilgrims in an almost identical position to Blackburn, just with numerous more fixtures against teams sitting around them.

The defeat at Hillsborough was the fifth in seven matches in the Championship, Plymouth winning just once during that period and scoring only five goals.

Foster's side also possess the third-worst away record in the division, albeit with their two wins coming since Foster arrived as head coach in January.

Blackburn Rovers Championship form:

L

D

D

D

L

D

Blackburn Rovers form (all competitions):

D

D

D

L

L

D

Plymouth Argyle Championship form:

D

L

L

W

L

L

Team News

Eustace is expected to make changes to his Blackburn XI, with Ben Chrisene in line to replace Callum Brittain who picked up a knock in midweek.

Arnor Sigurdsson could also return after supplying the assist for the equaliser, while goalkeeper Aynsley Pears may be recalled after being ill for the Millwall game.

Meanwhile, Foster may freshen up his Plymouth side by bringing the likes of Jordan Houghton and Bali Mumba into the fold.

Alfie Devine could also be due a recall in the final third, but Plymouth currently have minimal issues ahead of their trip to the North-West.

Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:

Pears; Hyam, McFadzean, Wharton; Chrisene, Buckley, Garrett, Pickering; Sigurdsson, Gallagher; Szmodics

Plymouth Argyle possible starting lineup:

Hazard; Phillips, Gibson, Galloway; Mumba, Houghton, Forshaw, Miller; Whittaker, Hardie, Devine

We say: Blackburn Rovers 2-2 Plymouth Argyle

There will be a mixture of nerves and ambition to push forward in this match, both teams aware of the progress that they could make with a victory. However, we feel that an entertaining draw is the most likely outcome, a result that will not necessarily suit either side.

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