SM
Sports Mole words bigger AMP 2
Barcelona vs. Osasuna: 3 hrs 36 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data
BL
Blackburn logo
Championship | Gameweek 31
Feb 10, 2024 at 3pm UK
Ewood Park
SL
Stoke logo

Blackburn
3 - 1
Stoke

Dolan (7', 37'), Szmodics (19')
FT(HT: 3-1)
Ennis (39')
McNally (29'), Tchamadeu (54')

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

:Headline: Preview: Blackburn Rovers vs. Stoke City - prediction, team news, lineups:
Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship clash between Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Sports Mole

Both looking to move away from the relegation spots in the second-tier table, Blackburn Rovers will do battle with Stoke City at Ewood Park on Saturday afternoon in the Championship.

Rovers were defeated 2-1 by relegation rivals Queens Park Rangers last time out, while the Potters were smashed by league leaders Leicester City.


Match preview

Preview: Blackburn vs. Stoke - prediction, team news, lineups

Jon Dahl Tomasson's tenure as Blackburn Rovers boss appears to be nearing its conclusion, with the 47-year-old Dane having reportedly handed in his resignation after a calamitous end to the January transfer window, coupled with the team's dire situation on the pitch of late.

Flying from America to England just days before the deadline, Orlando City striker Duncan McGuire spent his 21st birthday in Lancashire aiming to get a deal to join Rovers over the line, but due to an administrative error, Saturday's hosts were unable to secure a much-needed centre forward.

Former Birmingham City manager John Eustace is favourite to take the spot in the managerial hotseat at Ewood Park, with the 44-year-old ex-Stoke player without a job since being harshly sacked by Blues' ambitious American owners in October, when the Second City club were sat in sixth.

Heading into this weekend's all-important clash, Blackburn are currently occupying 18th position in the second-tier standings with 33 points from 29 Championship matches, meaning they are five points ahead of Marti Cifuentes's QPR who are in the highest of the relegation spots.

Key to Rovers staying out of serious danger at the foot of the division has been the goalscoring antics of former Peterborough United man Sammie Szmodics, with the 28-year-old bagging 16 goals in 27 league appearances so far - 11 more than any of his Blackburn teammates.

Following the hard-earned 1-0 success at basement dwellers Rotherham United on January 13, Stoke City have suffered three-straight defeats in the Championship which have tainted Steven Schumacher's largely-positive start to life as head coach at the Staffordshire club.

Last time out saw Enzo Maresca's league leaders come to the bet365 Stadium and put on a five-star performance, with braces from Jamie Vardy and Patson Daka - alongside a strike from Kasey McAteer, securing the Foxes a five-goal victory, inflicting the Potters their worst defeat of the term.

Having won just two matches since swapping the Devonshire coast of Plymouth Argyle for the West Midlands, Schumacher has seen his side drop to 20th in the Championship standings, sitting just four points above 22nd-placed QPR, although Stoke will leapfrog Blackburn with a win this weekend.

A busy transfer deadline day witnessed the arrival of two attacking signings for Stoke, with Niall Ennis and Million Manhoef joining from Rovers and Eredivisie strugglers Vitesse respectively - the latter is now plying his trade outside of the Netherlands for the first time in his career.

The Potters are unbeaten during their last five visits to Ewood Park stretching back to February 2015, with a first-half strike from ex-Chelsea youngster Lewis Baker enough to hand Alex Neil's men victory at the home of Blackburn during the 2022-23 campaign.

Blackburn Rovers Championship form:


Blackburn Rovers form (all competitions):


Stoke City Championship form:


Stoke City form (all competitions):



Team News

After losing to QPR last time out, Blackburn are expected to make a number of changes, with the likes of Yasin Ayari and Dilan Markanday pushing for starts.

Rovers are without the services of defenders Harry Pickering and Hayden Carter, with the pair suffering both suffering in the medical room due to hamstring issues.

January signing Kyle McFadzean is still waiting for his Blackburn debut, and this weekend could present an opportunity for the centre-back to be selected in the starting XI.

Stoke should make plenty of changes from the side who were heavily defeated by Leicester, with Andre Vidigal and Luke McNally primed to be promoted from the bench.

The Potters remain without influential midfielder Josh Laurent, who is currently recovering from an ankle injury sustained in the middle of February.


Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:
Pears; Rankin-Costello, Hyam, Wharton, Chrisene; Dolan, Tronstad, Moran, Markanday; Szmodics, Gallagher

Stoke City possible starting lineup:
Bonham; Hoever, McNally, Rose, Thompson; Cundle, Pearson, Burger; Vidigal, Bae, Campbell


We say: Blackburn Rovers 1-2 Stoke City

Although Eustace could be in the dugout in time for Saturday, we do not expect a new manager bounce immediately for Blackburn this weekend.

Stoke were woeful in the Leicester defeat, but with a couple of alterations to the XI they should be good enough for three points from this one.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


body check tags ::

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


amp_article__536264 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2024-02-08 17:25:18:
html db last update - 2024-02-08 17:25:18 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Read more!
Share this article now:


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
Blackburn revive move for Duncan McGuire after apparent collapse?
"Hello again" - Bukayo beams as Arsenal star releases training photo
Premier League boss 'top of the pops' to replace Postecoglou at Spurs
'Five players' that Foxes could target for Championship season after relegation
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds382311476255180
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd38257653282580
3Burnley382115252114178
4Sunderland381912755371869
5Coventry CityCoventry38178135548759
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom381318748341457
7Bristol City38141594941857
8Middlesbrough38159145748954
9Blackburn RoversBlackburn38157164240252
10Watford38157164751-452
11Millwall381312133739-251
12Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds38149155359-651
13Norwich CityNorwich381213136054649
14Preston North EndPreston381017113944-547
15Queens Park RangersQPR381112154450-645
16Swansea CitySwansea38128183849-1144
17Portsmouth38119184661-1542
18Oxford UnitedOxford Utd381012163955-1642
19Hull City381011173947-841
20Stoke CityStoke38912173751-1439
21Cardiff CityCardiff38912174262-2039
22Derby CountyDerby38108204051-1138
23Luton TownLuton3898213460-2635
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth38712194077-3733
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

"Blatantly obvious" - Arsenal told Jorginho summer transfer is "a done deal"

1

&O
"Blatantly obvious" - Arsenal told Jorginho summer transfer is "a done deal"

Man City 'worries' emerge as players have 'private concerns' about out-of-form star

2

MC
Man City 'worries' emerge as players have 'private concerns' about out-of-form star

Preview: Sittard vs. Sparta - prediction, team news, lineups

NEW

3

PS
Preview: Sittard vs. Sparta - prediction, team news, lineups

Chelsea alerted to 'bargain' transfer possibility to solve major Maresca problem

NEW

4

CA
Chelsea alerted to 'bargain' transfer possibility to solve major Maresca problem

Barcelona suffer crushing blow in pursuit of key Newcastle midfielder

5

BS
Barcelona suffer crushing blow in pursuit of key Newcastle midfielder

Chilwell lifts lid on Chelsea exile, reveals stance on training on his own

6

CL
Chilwell lifts lid on Chelsea exile, reveals stance on training on his own

European powerhouse 'emerge as contenders' for Man United's Onana

7

EP
European powerhouse 'emerge as contenders' for Man United's Onana

Preview: Fulham vs. Crystal Palace - prediction, team news, lineups

8

PF
Preview: Fulham vs. Crystal Palace - prediction, team news, lineups

Huijsen alternative: Real Madrid 'considering swoop' for towering centre-back

9

HA

Preview: Cardiff vs. Sheff Weds - prediction, team news, lineups

10

PC
1x1


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .