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

At a time when the home side sit in 11th position in the standings, the visitors are in 19th spot after losing two games in a row.

Match preview

On some level, Blackburn supporters would have hoped that their side would be different under Jon Dahl Tomasson this time around, building from their first campaign under the Dane and finding more consistency.

However, Rovers have not changed, mixing dismal streaks with winning runs, the current one lasting three games and the club now within touching distance of the top six.

Queens Park Rangers, Cardiff City and Millwall have all been defeated either side of the international break, seven goals being scored and just the one being conceded.

Blackburn trailed the Lions to a third-minute goal in midweek, but they responded by taking the lead shortly after half time and holding on for a 2-1 victory.

Tomasson has witnessed his team record one more point away from home than at Ewood Park, yet that is not to say that nine points from six games at their North-West base is not a solid return.

Swansea have been able to match Blackburn for inconsistency this season, each of their four wins all coming in a row.

Either side of that period, Michael Duff's team were seven matches without success before losing their latest two fixtures since their return from the international break.

Losing at home to leaders Leicester City was perhaps expected, yet Duff would have been hugely disappointed to lose out 1-0 to Watford in midweek.

Despite occupying 19th spot, though, Swansea sit closer - points-wise - to the playoffs than they do to the relegation zone, emphasising that it may only take a couple of wins to put them into promotion contention.

Blackburn Rovers Championship form:

L

L

L

W

W

W

Blackburn Rovers form (all competitions):

W

L

L

W

W

W

Swansea City Championship form:

W

W

W

W

L

L

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Team News

Dominic Hyam is expected to miss out for Blackburn after suffering an ankle injury during the win over Millwall.

Scott Wharton should replace him in the middle of the backline, but Andrew Moran is likely to be passed fit despite his late withdrawal at The Den.

With Arnor Sigurdsson's half-time withdrawal a tactical decision, the remainder of the Rovers XI could stay the same.

Meanwhile, Charlie Patino may come back into the Swansea XI after remaining as an unused substitute against Watford.

Oliver Cooper may also be considered for a start, but Duff is unlikely to overly tinker with his side for this contest.

Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:

Wahlstedt; Hill, Carter, S.Wharton, Pickering; Brittain, Rankin-Costello, Tronstad, Szmodics, Sigurdsson; Dolan

Swansea City possible starting lineup:

Rushworth; Ashby, Darling, Humphreys, Pedersen; Grimes, Patino; Cullen, Paterson, Lowe; Yates

We say: Blackburn Rovers 2-1 Swansea City

Swansea have the quality to get back to winning ways in this contest, the visitors not expected to be close to the relegation zone in the long term. Nevertheless, we feel that Rovers will edge this contest, helped by a fast start at Ewood Park.

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