MX23RW : Thursday, March 19 01:34:32| >> :120:36938:36938:
Feb 29, 2020 at 3pm UK at Ewood Park
Attendance: 13,099
BlackburnBlackburn Rovers
2-2
SwanseaSwansea City
Gallagher (25'), Johnson (90')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Brewster (45'), Ayew (48' pen.)

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

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship clash between Blackburn Rovers and Swansea City, including team news and predicted lineups.

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 Rovers manager Tony Mowbray and Stoke City boss Michael O'Neill pictured on February 26, 2020© Reuters

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 City's players look dejected after conceding a fourth goal in their 4-4 draw with Hull City on February 14, 2020© Reuters

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

Lewis Holtby in action for Blackburn Rovers on January 18, 2020© Reuters

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


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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.


ID:391087:

Who will win Saturday's Championship match between Blackburn Rovers and Swansea City?

Blackburn Rovers
Draw
Swansea City
Blackburn Rovers
53.8%
Draw
30.8%
Swansea City
15.4%
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Blackburn Rovers manager Tony Mowbray and Stoke City boss Michael O'Neill pictured on February 26, 2020
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rhs 2.0
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds37218856302671
2West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom371913564372770
3Fulham371810952381464
4Brentford371791164333160
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest371612948381060
6Preston North EndPreston37168135045556
7Bristol City371510125153-255
8Millwall37131594440454
9Cardiff CityCardiff37131595250254
10Blackburn RoversBlackburn371411125245753
11Swansea CitySwansea371314104645153
12Derby CountyDerby371312124949051
13Queens Park RangersQPR37148155862-450
14Reading37139154642448
15Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds37139154649-348
16Birmingham CityBirmingham371211144857-947
17Stoke CityStoke37126194955-642
18Huddersfield TownHuddersfield37119174558-1342
19Middlesbrough37914143747-1041
20Wigan AthleticWigan371011163850-1241
21Hull City37118184963-1441
22Charlton AthleticCharlton37109184454-1039
23Luton TownLuton37105224371-2835
24Barnsley37810194262-2034

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