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

Having each prevailed in two of their last three fixtures in the second tier, each team has momentum heading into the contest at Ewood Park.

Match preview

When it emerged that cutbacks were being made at Blackburn in the summer, the exit of Jon Dahl Tomasson appeared to be a realistic possibility.

However, the Dane has remained at the helm to lead what is still a young side, and everyone associated with Blackburn will be delighted with a return of 10 points from six games.

Letting slip a lead versus Hull City and being beaten 3-0 at Plymouth Argyle means that it has not always been plain-sailing for Tomasson and his players, yet Saturday's 2-1 triumph over Middlesbrough kept them heading in the right direction.

Two goals from Sammie Szmodics either side of half time ensured that they were able to shake off the disappointment of losing so heavily at last season's League One champions.

Goals remain an issue - Blackburn have only netted eight times in the league and never more than twice - but they have shown enough quality and belief in their head coach to suggest that they can stay around the playoff picture for another season.

In losing 2-1 to each of Ipswich Town and Preston North End at the start of the season, the perception was that Sunderland were suffering a hangover from missing out in the 2022-23 playoffs.

Since then, though, those two opponents sit in first and third place, while Sunderland have put together a four-game undefeated streak in their other fixtures.

Tony Mowbray has witnessed his teams earn wins over Rotherham United, Southampton and Queens Park Rangers, as well as claim a goalless draw at Coventry City.

Most notably, eight goals have been scored in their last two triumphs, although the 3-1 success at QPR on Saturday was aided by an early sending off for the home side.

Nevertheless, the North-East outfit now appear to be a team who are well set to challenge for the top six once again, particularly if the contributions in the final third continue to be shared around the squad.

Blackburn Rovers Championship form:

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Blackburn Rovers form (all competitions):

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Sunderland Championship form:

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Sunderland form (all competitions):

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Team News

Barring any fitness issues, Tomasson may be prepared to name the same Blackburn XI, particularly when freshening up his attack just before the hour mark against Boro.

Andrew Moran and Semir Telalovic - for his debut - were introduced at that point, but Tyrhys Dolan and Sam Gallagher will hope to retain their spots.

Joe Rankin-Costello came through 14 minutes on his comeback from a minor injury, although the wide player could stay on the substitutes' bench.

Pierre Ekwah is expected to miss out with a dead leg, which should lead to Alex Pritchard starting in his place in the Sunderland midfield.

Bradley Dack will likely be in contention against his former club, but Mowbray has already acknowledged that defender Dennis Cirkin will be sidelined for at least two more weeks.

Mason Burstow will hope to be handed another opportunity in attack after making his debut at Loftus Road.

Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:

Pears; Brittain, Carter, Hyam, Pickering; Travis, Wharton; Hedges, Szmodics, Dolan; Gallagher

Sunderland possible starting lineup:

Patterson; Hume, O'Nien, Ballard, Huggins; Neil, Pritchard; Ba, Bellingham, Clarke; Burstow

We say: Blackburn Rovers 2-2 Sunderland

This has all the makings of a thrilling contest, particularly given the recent goalscoring exploits of the visitors. Nevertheless, we fancy Rovers to earn a share of the spoils on home territory to continue their solid recovery from the disappointment of last season.

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