Two teams battling for playoff positions in the Championship will lock horns at Ewood Park on Saturday afternoon when Blackburn Rovers welcome Swansea City.

Blackburn are currently eighth in the table, four points off the top six, while Swansea sit in ninth position, five points off the playoffs during a vital stage of the campaign.

Match preview

Blackburn's league form in 2020 has been impressive, suffering just one defeat since New Year's Day to move up the table and indeed to within touching distance of the playoff positions.

Tony Mowbray's side recorded successive wins over Hull City and Charlton Athletic earlier this month but have been held by Brentford and Stoke City in their last two matches.

Rovers are very much in the top-six argument, though, as they sit just four points off sixth-placed Preston North End with every Championship side having played 35 matches this season.

Blackburn have only lost once on home soil in the league since the end of September but have not beaten Swansea in the league since December 2011 in England's top flight.

Swansea's recent form has not exactly been terrific, but the Welsh outfit have credit in the bank for their form earlier this season and as a result, are also in the top-six race.

Steve Cooper's side beat Huddersfield Town 3-1 last weekend but suffered a 1-0 loss away to Fulham on Wednesday night. The defeat at Craven Cottage left them in ninth spot in the division, only five points behind Preston ahead of what is a huge game at Ewood Park.

The Swans have only actually won one of their last seven in the league, though, and the fact that their next match after this one is at home to leaders West Bromwich Albion makes this contest particularly important.

Each of the last two Championship affairs between the two teams have finished level, but Swansea did beat Blackburn 3-1 at the Liberty Stadium in October 2018.

The league table suggests that there is not much between the two teams when it comes to quality, but there is no question that the hosts will enter the clash in the better form.

Blackburn Championship form: DLWWDD

Swansea Championship form: DLDDWL

Team News

Blackburn are still without the services of Bradley Dack and Lewis Holtby due to long-term knee injuries, while Derrick Williams and Corry Evans remain on the sidelines.

Joe Rothwell made his return against Stoke on Wednesday, though, and is again expected to keep his spot in an attacking position alongside Stewart Downing, Sam Gallagher and Adam Armstrong.

Dominic Samuel, though, is an option for change should Mowbray wish to shuffle his pack.

As for Swansea, George Byers and Mike van der Hoorn are still on the sidelines, but the Welsh side did not pick up any fresh concerns against Fulham on Wednesday night.

On-loan Liverpool forward Rhian Brewster should again lead the line, while Andre Ayew is certain to keep his spot in a wide position for the visitors.

There could be changes elsewhere, though, with Jordan Garrick pushing for a spot in the XI.

Blackburn possible starting lineup:
Walton; Nyambe, Lenihan, Adarabioyo, Bell; Johnson, Travis; Rothwell, Downing, Gallagher; Armstrong

Swansea possible starting lineup:
Woodman; Naughton, Cabango, Rodon, Bidwell; Fulton, Grimes; Garrick, Gallagher, Ayew; Brewster

We say: Blackburn 1-1 Swansea

Blackburn will be looking for their first league win over Swansea since 2011, but we fancy the Welsh side to secure a share of the spoils this weekend. A draw would not particularly help either side as they look to move into the top six, but it would not be the worst result in the world for either manager.