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

The Black Cats have made an impressive start to life back in the second tier and now travel to a Blackburn team with serious promotion ambitions after missing out on the top six last year.

Match preview

Two goals within the opening 20 minutes at the Riverside were enough to see Blackburn earn all three points against a managerless Middlesbrough on Saturday afternoon.

That win lifted Rovers up to fifth in the Championship table and only a point from current leaders Burnley, highlighting the competitiveness at the top end of the division so far this season.

Jon Dahl Tomasson's men have tasted victory more than any other team in the Championship but a striking inconsistency has prevented them from pulling away from their promotion rivals.

Having not played out a draw yet this season, Blackburn have been defeated seven times, the same number as their last opponents Boro, who occupy a relegation place.

Any tangible success this season for Blackburn will be highly dependent on the form of Premier League-linked Ben Brereton Diaz, with the forward a primary source of goals for Rovers, having scored five more than any other teammate so far this campaign.

After a four-year tussle with England's third tier, Sunderland are back in the Championship and look set to achieve more than just narrowly retain their status in the division.

The return to this level has not been drama-free for The Black Cats however, with former boss Alex Neil leaving the club to take the reins at Stoke City in late August.

New manager Tony Mowbray is no stranger to the demands of a gruelling Championship season as well as his opponents on Tuesday, with the 58-year-old visiting Blackburn for the first time since his departure from Ewood Park following a five-year spell in charge.

The North-East club come into this fixture in good form having only lost once in their last six, albeit with only two wins in that period.

Nevertheless, the Sunderland faithful will be delighted with the start their side has made and will be hoping they can keep pace with the playoff positions as the Championship speeds towards its World Cup hiatus.

Blackburn Rovers Championship form:

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Sunderland Championship form:

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Team News

Spaniard Daniel Ayala is a doubt for Tuesday night after picking up a muscle injury in the defeat at Wigan Athletic.

Tomasson has reassured supporters that the knock that left Ayala unavailable to face Middlesbrough is not serious, but the Sunderland clash may come too soon for the 31-year-old, who was replaced by youngster Ashley Phillips in the back three.

Rovers will definitely be without midfielder Lewis Travis, who will serve a one-match suspension following a fifth booking of the season last time out against Boro.

Sunderland could also be without a player who has started every league game so far for them on Tuesday, with American Lynden Gooch being forced off at half time after being stamped on in the early stages against Wigan.

Corry Evans will be available for selection again following a one-match ban after picking up his fifth caution in an away defeat at Swansea City earlier in the month.

Ross Stewart and Dan Ballard remain sidelined with their respective injuries and are not expected back until after the World Cup.

Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:

Kaminski; Phillips, Hyam, S Wharton; Brittain, A Wharton, Morton, Pickering, Szmodics; Gallagher, Brereton

Sunderland possible starting lineup:

Patterson; O'Nien, Batth, Cirkin; Diallo, Embleton, Neil, Alese; Roberts, Pritchard, Clarke

We say: Blackburn Rovers 2-1 Sunderland

Blackburn are back on home turf for the first time in three matches and could go top of the Championship with a positive result against Sunderland.

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