Blackburn Rovers play host to Rotherham United on New Year's Day looking to end a run of four successive defeats in the Championship.

At a time when Rovers have dropped down to 15th position in the standings, Rotherham remain eight points adrift of safety despite their recent improvements.

Match preview

When Blackburn put together a run of games, winning or losing, they have had a tendency to immediately change direction, for good or for worse.

However, for the second time this season, Rovers have lost four matches in succession, something which must put Jon Dahl Tomasson's job in jeopardy.

Although three of the four losses have come away from home, Blackburn have conceded 12 times in total, including three times at each of Huddersfield Town and Hull City.

Character was shown to come back from two goals down to level with Hull on Friday, yet shipping a third strike and having Dominic Hyam sent off with 16 minutes remaining effectively ended their hopes of a much-needed victory.

Now a massive eight points adrift of the top six, Tomasson and his players know that a win is imperative against the struggling Millers.

Staying on the theme of eight points, that is how many points Rotherham are from 21st spot, but Leam Richardson will be encouraged by their form over Christmas.

On the back of losing 3-0 at Leicester City, four points have been collected from games against North East giants Middlesbrough and Sunderland.

There will be disappointment that they could not hold out for a maximum return versus the latter, yet Richardson has instigated a change in trajectory to give supporters hope.

Nevertheless, this is a Rotherham side that is yet to win away from home in the league during 2023-24, with their only recent point coming at Birmingham City.

Team News

Tomasson will be forced into at least one alteration with Hyam serving a one-match ban, the likelihood being that Hayden Carter will start in his place.

Harry Leonard or Niall Ennis are expected to come in for Semir Telalovic in attack, while Andrew Moran is another likely starter in the final third.

While Lewis Travis is an option in midfield, Tomasson may opt to keep the remainder of the Blackburn XI from the Hull fixture.

Having marked his return to the starting lineup with a goal versus Sunderland, Sam Clucas will hope to retain his spot in the Rotherham side.

Ollie Rathbone may feature after missing the previous game through illness, but Richardson could be prepared to opt for minimal alterations.

Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:
Wahlstedt; Brittain, Hill, Carter, Pickering; Tronstad, Garrett; Sigurdsson, Szmodics, Moran; Leonard

Rotherham United possible starting lineup:
Johansson; Lembikisa, Odoffin, Morrison, Revan, Bramall; Lindsay, Tiehi, Clucas; Hugill, Nombe

We say: Blackburn Rovers 2-1 Rotherham United

Given their contrasting form, there is an argument that this is now a 50-50 contest. However, with Tomasson fighting for his job at Ewood Park, we feel that his players will rise to the occasion and edge this game by the odd goal in three.


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