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

Rovers are back on home soil after two-successive away matches which both ended in draws, while Swansea are searching for back-to-back wins after getting the better of Blackpool last time out.

Match preview

Blackburn extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to six games on Wednesday night as they earned a 1-1 draw at promoting-chasing West Bromwich Albion - a result which most of the travelling supporters would have taken at the start of the evening.

The Baggies dominated proceedings on home soil and took the lead through Jayson Molumby, although an 89th-minute free-kick from Ben Brereton Diaz forced a share of the spoils at The Hawthorns.

That point has kept Jon Dahl Tomasson's men eighth in the second-tier standings possessing 46 points from 31 games, with sixth-placed Watford just a point ahead as this weekend's round of fixtures approaches.

In truth, Rovers have struggled since returning from the World Cup break with many key players such as Brereton Diaz not operating at their best, and the Lancashire side will know only regular wins between now and May will earn them a top-six place.

Swansea recorded their first victory of the month on Wednesday night as they defeated strugglers Blackpool in South Wales, with a Callum Connolly own goal being the decisive moment of the match in the 73rd minute.

That win against the Seasiders has kept the Swans' faint hopes of a playoff finish alive, with Russell Martin's men sitting in 12th place ahead of this Saturday's trip to Blackburn, five points behind sixth place.

Martin made clear of his disappointment over the lack of incomings during the January transfer window, a problem which was highlighted by the departure of forward Michael Obafemi to league-leaders Burnley in the latter stages of the month.

The Swans have been potent scorers on home soil so far this season, netting 25 times in 15 fixtures at the Liberty Stadium, with only Burnley and Sheffield United having registered more goals in home games to date.

The metric which portrays Swansea's issues this term is the goals against statistic, with only relegation-threatened Wigan Athletic and Blackpool having let in more strikes so far this campaign than the Swans' 46.

Blackburn Rovers Championship form:

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L

D

D

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D

Blackburn Rovers form (all competitions):

D

D

W

D

D

D

Swansea City Championship form:

L

W

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L

L

W

Swansea City form (all competitions):

W

L

D

L

L

W

Team News

Blackburn suffered an injury blow in the draw with West Brom on Wednesday night as centre-back Scott Wharton was forced off at half time with an ankle injury, which is expected to keep him out until the end of the month - Dominic Hyam is the most obvious replacement in the backline.

Callum Brittain has featured in successive matches off the bench following an injury suffered in December, and the right-back could earn his first start of 2023 on Saturday in place of Joe Rankin-Costello.

Tyrhys Dolan continues to lead the line for Rovers ahead of the more natural striking option in Sam Gallagher, with the 21-year-old expected to start at Ewood Park this weekend.

Swansea's Matthew Sorinola scored in his first league start since December on Wednesday night against Blackpool and should be rewarded with another starting berth at Blackburn.

Andrew Fisher will continue in between the sticks for the Swans due to Steven Benda's cruciate ligament injury, an issue which is expected to keep the German out until September.

Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:

Pears; Brittain; Carter, Hyam, Pickering; Travis, Morton, Thomas, Dack, Brereton Diaz; Dolan

Swansea City possible starting lineup:

Fisher; Cabango, Wood, Darling; Sorinola, Fulton, Grimes, Manning, Cundle; Cooper, Piroe

We say: Blackburn Rovers 2-1 Swansea City

Blackburn are still within touching distance of the top six but need to start turning regular draws into regular wins if they are to finish in the playoffs, with a home tie with Swansea a good opportunity to begin such a run.

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