Blackburn Rovers host Watford in the Championship this weekend hoping to keep their slim playoff hopes alive for at least another week.
Heading into the weekend, Rovers are four points adrift of the playoff zone with only two games remaining, while the Hornets are already out of playoff contention.
Match preview
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The Ewood Park faithful will feel that their late-season form has come just a few weeks too late, as Blackburn have claimed 10 points out of a possible 12 from their last four matches.
Their three-match winning streak followed a seven-match winless run to begin Valerien Ismael's tenure at the club.
The poor start under Ismael effectively ended Blackburn's playoff aspirations for the campaign, but they will want to ensure that they finish the season well to put themselves in a good position for next season, while also holding onto hope that the door to the playoffs will open for them.
Following Ismael's disappointing start at Ewood Park, there was some speculation surrounding his long-term future at the club, but their recent turnaround in fortune should at least see the Frenchman begin next term as Blackburn boss.
One of the reasons that Rovers have been in contention for promotion this year is their strength in defence, with Blackburn currently owning the seventh-best defensive record in the division having conceded 46 goals in 44 matches.
That defensive strength has been on display in recent weeks, with 1-0 wins over Luton Town and Sunderland helping to keep their promotion dream alive.
Realistically, the hosts will need to win both of their remaining matches to reach the playoffs, and a win this weekend could close the gap to only a point if other results go in Blackburn's favour.
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They take on a Watford side that, in contrast to Rovers, are in poor form, having won just two of their last 10 matches, losing all of their last three in the league.
Their away form has been a particular concern this season, with the Hornets having lost 13 matches on their travels and won only four times.
Watford's most recent away defeat came on Easter Monday at Fratton Park as Portsmouth sealed a 1-0 win over the Hornets courtesy of a goal by Colby Bishop.
Six defeats in their last 10 matches overall have killed off any playoff hopes for the rest of the season, with the Hornets now 10 points adrift of the playoff zone.
Watford are notorious for chopping and changing managers, and their poor results towards the end of the campaign have meant that the rumours are once again circulating surrounding Tom Cleverley's future at the club.
Cleverley will be hoping that his side can secure their second win over Blackburn this season, after the Hornets won the reverse fixture at Vicarage Road back in October.
Edo Kayembe scored the only goal of that match from the penalty spot to give Watford all three points on that occasion.
Team News
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The hosts have been boosted by the recent return of Callum Brittain from a lengthy absence, and he is in contention to feature again this weekend.
However, in a blow for Blackburn, Todd Cantwell is a doubt for this match having missed Monday's win at Sunderland due to illness, while Andreas Weimann (knee) is out for the rest of the campaign.
Should he be unavailable, Cauley Woodrow could start once again, as he did at the Stadium of Light.
Meanwhile, Watford will be without Kevin Keben, who is suspended following his red card in Monday's defeat at Portsmouth.
Elsewhere, Kwadwo Baah, Yasser Larouci, Angelo Ogbonna and Giorgi Chakvetadze are expected to miss this clash due to injuries.
In further bad news for the visitors, Moussa Sissoko will serve the second game of his two-match ban, however, Kayembe will return from his one-match ban.
Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:
Toth; Ribeiro, Batth, Hyam, Brittain; Travis, Tronstad, Hedges, Dolan; Woodrow, Ohashi
Watford possible starting lineup:
Selvik; Wiley, Sierralta, Abankwah, Andrews; Dwomoh, Louza, Vata, Dele-Bashiru, Ince; Doumbia
We say: Blackburn Rovers 2-1 Watford
The Hornets have little to play for now, and they could well already have one eye on the beach, whereas Blackburn just have to win and hope that they get help from elsewhere.
We think that they should get the three points that they need this weekend, which would potentially take their playoff bid to the final day of the season.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Tom Humphrey
