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Preview: Blackburn Rovers vs. Huddersfield Town - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Championship clash between Blackburn Rovers and Huddersfield Town, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Blackburn Rovers play host to Huddersfield Town on Sunday afternoon with the opportunity to move into second place in the Championship standings.

However, while Rovers have posted six victories in succession, the visitors have put together their own three-match winning streak, moving them back into the playoff mix.


Match preview

Blackburn Rovers' Ben Brereton Diaz celebrates scoring against Preston North End on December 4, 2021© Reuters

Such has been Blackburn's level of performance over recent weeks that there was an air of frustration when they were only level with struggling Barnsley at half time of Wednesday night's fixture at Ewood Park.

Nevertheless, Ben Brereton Diaz stepped up with yet another decisive goal, the Chile international netting his 20th league strike of the campaign to extend Blackburn's remarkable upturn in results.

Tony Mowbray's team now have 28 points from a possible 33 since October 23, and avoiding defeat on Sunday will see them overtake second-placed Fulham.

With the Cottagers possessing games in hand, Mowbray will not place too much focus on moving higher in the standings, but another positive result would break up the long-time status quo in the automatic promotion spots.

Rovers also head into this contest with the best home record in the division, collecting 30 points from their 13 fixtures at Ewood Park.

Huddersfield Town manager Carlos Corberan on October 16, 2021© Reuters

However, they face opponents in Huddersfield who are on their best run of the season, the Terriers putting together a five-game unbeaten streak.

A total of 11 points have come during that period, significantly helped by three successive wins, the latest coming at Nottingham Forest on Thursday evening.

Duane Holmes's 30th-minute effort proved to be the difference at the City Ground, moving Huddersfield into the playoff spots and five points clear of their opponents on the night.

Carlos Corberan will not be getting carried away, with Huddersfield known for their inconsistency under his guidance, but keeping their first clean sheet since November 20 has provided the backline with a confidence boost ahead of the most daunting trip in the division.

Blackburn Rovers Championship form:
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W

Huddersfield Town Championship form:
  • L
  • D
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • W



Team News

Blackburn Rovers manager Tony Mowbray on October 19, 2021© Reuters

Barring any unforeseen selection issues, Mowbray may feel that he has no reason to make any alterations to his Blackburn XI.

While Sam Gallagher is pushing for a return in the final third, Mowbray will not want to break up the partnership of Brereton Diaz and Reda Khadra.

Danny Ward is unlikely to start for Huddersfield after feeling unwell during the early stages of the game on Thursday night.

Although Jordan Rhodes replaced him on that occasion, Josh Koroma or Fraizer Campbell may get the nod for this fixture.

Naby Sarr is expected to miss out with a back injury, while Tom Lees is unlikely to be risked due to the head injury that he sustained on Boxing Day.

Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:
Kaminski; Lenihan, Van Hecke, Wharton; Nyambe, Travis, Rothwell, Pickering; Buckley; Brereton, Khadra

Huddersfield Town possible starting lineup:
Nicholls; Turton, Pearson, Colwill, Toffolo; High, O'Brien; Thomas, Sinani, Holmes; Koroma


SM words green background

We say: Blackburn Rovers 3-1 Huddersfield Town

Even when taking Huddersfield's recent resurgence into consideration, it is impossible to back against Blackburn right now. We do not think they will have it all their own way on Sunday, but Rovers should have enough quality to eventually run out convincing winners.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data


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How you voted: Blackburn vs Huddersfield

Blackburn Rovers
75.8%
Draw
11.3%
Huddersfield Town
12.9%
62
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Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Bournemouth25147441202149
2Blackburn RoversBlackburn25137543281546
3Fulham23136451193245
4West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom25119531191242
5Queens Park RangersQPR2412573730741
6Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2611783229340
7Middlesbrough2511682924539
8Stoke CityStoke2410592825335
9Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest259793228434
10Coventry CityCoventry239772927234
11Millwall248972727033
12Blackpool2696112732-533
13Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd229582928132
14Preston North EndPreston238782629-331
15Bristol City2586113039-930
16Luton TownLuton227873127429
17Swansea CitySwansea227692631-527
18Birmingham CityBirmingham2476112332-927
19Hull City2465132029-923
20Cardiff CityCardiff2465132643-1723
21Reading2384112936-722
22Peterborough UnitedPeterborough2354142044-2419
23Barnsley2428141636-2014
24Derby CountyDerby2571172324-111

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