Tag Archives: Rovers

Rovers a flash in the pan?

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League One continues this weekend with early leaders Tranmere Rovers (9/1 to win the title) desperate to prove they are more than just pacesetters.

After going 12 games unbeaten at the start of the campaign, Rovers have lost their last two matches and seen their lead at the top of the third tier cut to a single point.

Ronnie Moore’s side still occupy a healthy position, and one which few fans would have imagined at the start of the season, but the picture has changed dramatically since they opened up a seven-point gap over the rest a fortnight ago.

Tranmere could end this weekend as low as fourth, should they fall to a third successive defeat at home to Preston North End on Saturday (Tranmere 6/5, draw 9/4, Preston 9/4 – match betting).

The season is still young and it is easy to get carried away after a good start. Tables can be misleading and, as Tranmere have found out, things can change very quickly.

Moore will not be panicking just yet, but Tranmere fans could be forgiven for thinking this is the beginning of their slide down the table.

The Prenton Park faithful have become accustomed to relegation struggles in recent times. When your club goes through a trot like that, it is usually a case of waiting for the bubble to burst when things are looking up.

Rovers are in good hands, though. Moore has been around the block and knows how to inspire teams to promotion. He will have the players pumped up for the visit of Preston.

Nathan Eccleston joined on a month’s loan from Blackpool this week and could go straight into the starting line-up, with Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro and Jake Jervis sidelined through injury.

Tranmere have hit 31 goals so far this term, the most in League One, while Preston have netted 24 on their way to eighth spot.

It looks set to be an exciting clash at Prenton Park, with a fired-up home side determined to get their promotion charge back on track (3-2 to Tranmere – 25/1).

Elsewhere in the third tier on Saturday, second-placed Stevenage host Swindon Town and Crawley Town (9/1 League One outright) entertain Oldham Athletic. Sheffield United face Portsmouth at Bramall Lane on Monday night.

The pick of the fixtures is arguably the clash between Notts County and Doncaster Rovers at Meadow Lane (Notts County evens, draw 12/5, Doncaster 11/4 – match betting).

Both sides occupy a play-off place going into the weekend’s action but have struggled for consistency so far this season.

County have been excellent on the road but have struggled on home soil, losing three of their seven league fixtures at Meadow Lane.

Likewise, Doncaster have saved their best football for their travels and head to the Midlands on the back of an excellent midweek victory at Tranmere.

That win stretched Doncaster’s unbeaten run to five matches as they look to return to the Championship at the first time of asking.

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Rovers to worsen Owls woes

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After all the action on Tuesday there is just one game in the Championship on Wednesday night and it will see Sheffield Wednesday make the trip to Ewood Park to take on Blackburn Rovers (Blackburn 10/11, draw 5/2, Sheff Wed 3/1 Match Betting).

The Owls might well need the extra day to recoup after the well-documented events of their last outing against Leeds United last Friday night at Hillsborough. But, putting aside the crowd trouble between the two sets of fans, from a footballing point of view Wednesday will be able to take plenty of positives from the Yorkshire derby, which they really should have claimed three points from.

The Owls dominated much of the first half and were able to keep hold of the ball much better than their previous games, which saw them record one draw and six defeats before the arrival of Leeds.

On-loan striker Jay Bothroyd had arguably his best game for Wednesday since joining the club after a disappointing spell at Queens Park Rangers in the Premier League. The 30-year-old former Cardiff City (4/1 Championship outright) man held the ball up well and was a threat throughout the evening and he will need to produce a similar performance on Wednesday night, if manager Dave Jones and his men are to get anything out of their trip across the Pennines.

As for Blackburn they are still in the hunt for a replacement manager following the departure of Steve Kean. Many names have been linked with the role at Ewood Park, with the likes of Ian Holloway at Blackpool and Fulham coach Billy McKinley having their names bounded about in the media. For the moment Eric Black is the caretaker boss and he will have been disappointed his side were not able to finish off Derby County on the weekend, as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Pride Park.

Having taken the lead through Jordan Rhodes, it was two minutes before time that the Rams were able to get an equaliser, which left Blackburn (8/1 Championship outright) no time to respond.  With four goals to his name this season for Blackburn, Rhodes has shown that he will certainly cope at this level, having made his name in League One with Huddersfield Town.

Wednesday, who have shipped in 22 goals in 11 games this season, will have to be on their guard if they are to keep the Scotland international quiet but it’s likely 22-year-old will get his name on the scoresheet against the Owls.

It’s crucial Blackburn bring in a new manager before they drop anymore important points but even with a caretaker in charge they should have enough to see of Wednesday.

Yes the Owls showed massive signs of improvement against Leeds but they were still unable to keep that all-important clean-sheet and against a Rovers side will plenty of attacking prowess, it’s hard to see Jones’ men coming away from Ewood Park with anything to show for their efforts (Rovers 2-0 correct score).

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Rovers to chop down Forest

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It’s been a tough few days for Blackburn Rovers with the resignation of manager Steve Kean and the side find themselves on the road again when they take on Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night (Forest 6/4, draw 9/4, Rovers 9/5 Match Betting).

After months of speculation and pressure for change at Ewood Park, Kean finally decided to call it a day with the Lancashire outfit ahead of their 1-1 draw with Charlton Athletic at The Valley on Saturday.

The Scot’s departure will relieve the pressure on the Blackburn (11/2 Championship outright) squad and it will be up to caretaker manager Eric Black to guide the players through this spell, as the club’s owners continue their search for a successor.

Black has spoken about the positive attitude in the dressing room and, with the experience of Paul Robinson, Danny Murphy and Nuno Gomes in their ranks, they certainly have the mental strength to get through this difficult time and get results on the pitch.

The combination of Gomes and Scotland international Jordan Rhodes looks like it could be a potent partnership in the Championship this term and Forest will have their work cut out for them in defence if they are to keep the pair off the scoresheet.

As for the home side, their task against one of the favorites to win promotion back to the Premier League will be made all the more difficult following the suspension of Dexter Blackstock, who was sent off in the 1-0 defeat at the hands of bitter rivals Derby County on Sunday.

Forest will still be hurting from that defeat at the City Ground and manager Sean O’Driscoll will be wanting to put things right against Rovers.

However, Blackburn have so much strength in their starting XI and the luxury of bringing impact players off the bench, so they should be able to just edge out the Reds (13/2 1-0 Rovers correct score).

In Wednesday’s other encounter Derby, who will be buoyed by that win over Forest, make the trip to the North East to take on Middlesbrough (Middlesbrough 21/20, draw 12/5, Derby 5/2 Match Betting).

Boro suffered their first defeat at the Riverside last weekend, as they were undone by Leicester City 2-1 to the frustration of manager Tony Mowbray. It was really a game the home side should have won but goals from Jamie Vardy and Lloyd Dyer saw their downfall.

Derby will have their work cut out for them on Wednesday, as they go in search of their second away win of the season following that scalp against Forest.

The Rams look like they will struggle in the Championship once again this term and manager Nigel Clough looks set to head back down to the East Midlands with nothing to show for their efforts at the Riverside, with Boro looking just too strong for them (7/1 2-0 Middlesbrough correct score).

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Rovers set for mauling by Tigers

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With the pain of relegation still fresh in the memory, Blackburn Rovers still have extremely fragile confidence despite a summer of big spending. Their first home game of the season sees them play Hull City and the Yorkshire side appear primed to pile more misery on Rovers’ beleaguered supporters (Blackburn 10/11, draw 5/2, Hull 3/1 in the match betting).

Rovers will be hoping for a fast start against The Tigers at Ewood Park, with the grumblings of discontent among the supporters showing no signs of easing.

The Lancashire outfit’s relegation last May was the culmination of a hugely disappointing season both on and off the pitch.

On it Steve Kean’s men struggled to find any consistency, while off it, the fans loudly voiced their opposition to both Kean and the club’s Indian owners, Venky’s.

The atmosphere around Ewood was poisonous, unpleasant and at times aggressive. Kean will be all too aware that a poor start against Hull will see the moans and groans return.

Rovers have been busy in the transfer market so far this summer in a bid to ensure immediate promotion, bringing in eight new players, including Colin Kazim-Richards, Nuno Gomes, Danny Murphy, Leon Best and Dickson Etuhu.

Four made their debuts against Ipswich on Saturday with one of those, Kazim-Richards, giving Rovers the lead (Kazim-Richards 11/2 to score first on Wednesday).

That looked to be enough for Rovers but they paid the price for sitting back and trying to hang onto their lead when Ryan Lowe scored a late own-goal to ensure a share of the spoils.

Co-owners Balaji Rao and Venkatesh Rao as well as global adviser Shebby Singh watched the game against the Tractor Boys amid speculation Kean may lose his job should Rovers make a poor start.

Singh even had to apologise over the summer when he suggested Kean would be sacked if Rovers lost three games in a row while speaking at a fans’ forum.

It all means there will be nerves aplenty upon kick-off in Lancashire, with the atmosphere once again threatening to turn toxic if the home side make a poor start.

Hull will be no doubt aware of that and will look to capitalise on the disharmony on the terraces by striking early.

The Tigers travel across the Pennines on a high after a 1-0 victory over Brighton at the KC Stadium on Saturday. Jay Simpson came off the bench to grab the only goal at the KC and is handily priced at  15/2 to do so again.

Boss Steve Bruce arrived earlier in the summer charged with launching a sustained promotion bid this season and he has already brought in six new players – Nick Proschwitz, Sone Aluko, Alex Bruce, Abdoulaye Faye, Ben Amos and Eldin Jakupovic.

With at least two more expected to follow before the deadline and a run of just one defeat in seven games in pre-season, the club look well set to claim their first win at Blackburn since 1986.

Their odds of 3/1 appear great value given Blackburn’s off-field disharmony, with even more value found in the half time/full time markets.

Blackburn and their fans will be nervous, while Hull will be determined to capitalise on that so a strong opening from the visitors is likely. A Hull City double half time/full time result has great odds of 6/1 and appears the value bet in this encounter.

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Rovers to rally for Tigers test

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Blackburn Rovers will be looking to get a first win under their belts when they host Hull City at Ewood Park on Tuesday (Blackburn 10/11, draw 5/2, Hull 3/1 – Match Betting) having been held to a draw on the opening weekend of the Championship season.

Rovers manager Steve Kean will still be ruing his side’s 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town at Portman Road last weekend, after they conceded a late own goal to give the Tractor Boys a share of the spoils.

Looking at the starting line-up, Blackburn (10/1 Championship outright) have been able to keep hold of most of their squad from the Premier League last term and with the likes of Nuno Gomez and Danny Murphy in their ranks, Kean has made some shrewd signings, with plenty of experience in the transfer window.

As for Hull, they made a promising start under manager Steve Bruce on home turf, with a 1-0 victory over a much fancied Brighton outfit.

The Tigers did have to wait till just five minutes from time before Jay Simpson scored his first goal in 16 months for the East Yorkshire club and they would need to create many more chances against Rovers, if they are to get anything out of the game at Ewood Park.

It might not be the most friendly of atmospheres in this battle of the Roses clash but Blackburn should have the quality to edge out the Tigers.

Just down the road Bolton Wanderers will be in action for their first home outing of the Championship campaign when they take on Derby County (Bolton 8/11, draw 5/2, Derby 4/1 – Match Betting).

The Trotters, who are fancied as the favourites to win the Championship title this season, were brought down to earth last weekend when they were convincingly beaten by Lancashire rivals Burnley 2-0 at Turf Moor.

Manager Owen Coyle has plenty of experience in the Championship having previously managed Burnley and he will be eager to get Bolton’s first points on the board at the Reebok Stadium.

Derby have goals in them but what has been worrying for boss Nigel Clough is the goals that have been leaked at the back.

Comfortable leads over Scunthorpe United and Sheffield Wednesday in the Capital One Cup and the Championship have been squandered and Bolton (7/1 Championship outright) could record a convincing win, if the likes of Kevin Davies and Marvin Sordell are firing on all cylinders.

As for Burnley they will be hoping to build on that dream start to the season when they travel to the North East to face Middlesbrough (Middlesbrough 11/10, draw 12/5, Burnley 12/5 – Match Betting).

The combination of Charlie Austin and Martin Paterson looks like it could be a fine partnership in the Championship this term and Boro will have to be on their guard, having already tasted defeat at Barnsley last weekend.

Middlesbrough (25/1 Championship outright) have brought in Chelsea midfielder Josh McEachran on loan to strengthen their options in the middle of the park and he is set to make his debut on Tuesday night.

Burnley have gone somewhat under the radar in the build-up to the campaign and they look like they should be able to secure a draw at the Riverside, against a Boro side who have not had the best of records on home soil in recent seasons.

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Rovers and out?

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There is just one Premier League fixture on Bank Holiday Monday but what a massive game for both Blackburn Rovers and Wigan Athletic as they meet at Ewood Park desperate for the win to aid their survival battle.

Blackburn are currently second from bottom in the table and seemingly nailed on for relegation as they are priced at 1/50 to go down, while Wigan, who have enjoyed a fantastic run of results of late, are on offer at 20/1 to fall through the trap door.

Steve Kean has not had the easiest of times in the Rovers hotseat this season, not least because of the teams problems on the pitch, but there has also been plenty of vocal dissent from the stands throughout the campaign which can hardly have helped the cause.

The fans have seemingly wanted him out right from the off but he has managed to survive the calls for his head – although the writing could already be on the wall by the time his players take to the field.

Rovers are currently three points from safety but QPR and Bolton could increase that, depending on how they fare on Sunday, while the Latics hold a six-point cushion over them in 16th place in the table.

It certainly makes it an absolute must-win clash for Rovers, otherwise they might as well kiss their survival hopes goodbye (if they haven’t already) as they have an inferior goal difference to those clubs around them and must travel to Stamford Bridge on the last day of the season.

Roberto Martinez’s men face the simpler task – on paper at least – on the final day as they host already relegated Wolves, so there need is far less greater.

That is perhaps reflected in the betting with the more desperate Rovers installed as the 11/8 favourites, with the Latics on offer at 15/8 while the draw is on offer at 13/5.

However, the two teams go into the crunch clash in real contrasting form with Rovers having lost six of their last seven league matches, and failing to muster a single effort at goal, on or off target, in their last match – the 2-0 defeat at Spurs.

Wigan seemed dead and buried a couple of months ago but have found their form when it has mattered most, winning five of their last seven league matches and beating the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United.

Arguably their most impressive result came last time out when they dismantled an in-form, top-four chasing Newcastle United side – who have since beaten Chelsea 2-0 at Stamford Bridge – 4-0 at the DW Stadium with all four goals coming in the first half.

Good news for Rovers fans is that Wigan have never won at Ewood Park in their history and have lost on their last five visits, while they managed to secure a 3-3 draw at the DW Stadium earlier in the season, despite having a man sent off.

Yakubu secured the last-gasp point on that occasion and has got to be a threat in the goal-scoring markets, while Junior Hoilett has also found a bit of form.

However, the side has been hit by injuries, seemingly lost confidence and have only won two of their previous nine meetings against other sides in the bottom six.

Wigan don’t necessarily need to win but are playing with confidence, have beaten far better sides than Blackburn and should have enough about them to secure the points to all-but-ensure Premier League survival.

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Rovers to worsen Reds woe

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Since the start of the year Liverpool have endured one of their poorest runs in their Premier League history and Blackburn Rovers will be looking to compound their misery when they host the Merseysiders at Ewood Park on Tuesday night (Blackburn 5/2, draw 12/5, Liverpool 11/10 – 90 minutes).

The pressure is slowly but surely starting to mount on manager Kenny Dalglish at Anfield and were it not for his iconic status on Merseyside, the Scot may well have found himself looking for new employers following a torrid spell.

Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with fellow strugglers Aston Villa on Saturday highlighted what has been a season that most supporters of the club will want to forget.

Yes, the Reds have added a League Cup to the cabinet this season but in the bread and butter that is the Premier League, Dalglish’s men have been well off the pace.

The Scot will be looking to get a response from his players when they make the relatively short trip to Lancashire to take on Rovers.

Questions have continued to be raised over striker Andy Carroll’s (11/2 first goalscorer) future with Liverpool, having struggled to consistently find the back of the net since making his £35m move from Newcastle United in January last year.

The England forward started on the bench against Villa but could be given a starting role to combat the physical Rovers back four.

Luis Suarez (9/2 first goalscorer) is a man that Blackburn will be fully aware of and the Uruguayan has the potential to cause the home side all sorts of problems on Tuesday night.

As for Rovers they go into this on the back of a lacklustre performance against West Brom, with the Baggies running out comfortable 3-0 winners at the Hawthorns.

Having looked like they had turned a corner under manager Steve Kean at the start of March with wins over Sunderland, Wolves and a draw with Villa; Blackburn have struggled in recent outings.

The Lancashire outfit rely heavily on strikers Yakubu (11/2 first goalscorer) and David Hoilett for their goals and if the pair are having an off-day, Kean’s side struggle to hit the back of the net.

Both strikers struggled against West Brom who dominated much of the game on Saturday and Liverpool could do much worse than to have a look at the tapes of that game and watch how their former manager Roy Hodgson neutralised Rovers.

Liverpool will be desperate to get back to winning ways on Tuesday night as they hope to end their four game losing streak in the top flight.

Blackburn have raised their game to take on the bigger teams in the Premier League and likewise Liverpool have struggled to secure three points against the so called lesser sides.

This game does not look like it will have too many goals in it considering the form and Dalglish might just have to settle for a point against a resilient Rovers outfit (Correct Score – 1-1 6/1).

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United ready for Rovers return

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Monday night will see Manchester United return to the ground where they secured the Premier League crown last year, as they take on Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park looking to extend their lead at the top of the table this season (Blackburn 15/2, draw 7/2, United 2/5).

With rivals Manchester City dropping points in a dramatic 3-3 draw with Sunderland at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, United have the chance to go five points clear if they can overcome a resurgent Rovers side.

The mind games between United’s manager Sir Alex Ferguson and City’s Roberto Mancini have been rife over the past few weeks, with the Italian tactician predicting their rivals will only draw their game on Monday night.

United are in fine form, though, and will be fully expected to get three points against Blackburn, as they have notched up nine wins in their last 10 games.

The defending Premier League champions did come unstuck against Rovers at Old Trafford, when these two teams met earlier in the season in what was one of the shock results of the season.

United could welcome back Rio Ferdinand, as the veteran defender has recovered from a back injury and will be able to add his vast experience to the back-four.

Ferguson has challenged Wayne Rooney (5/2 First Goalscorer) to continue his fine form by scoring a goal in every game for the rest of the campaign.

The former Everton star scored a crucial penalty to help United secure their 19th league title last year and will be looking to get his name on the scoresheet again at Ewood Park, to help the club make a big step towards taking number 20.

By no means will the league’s frontrunners have it all their own way, as Rovers manager Steve Kean has got his side battling hard in games as they fight for their lives near the bottom of the table.

With just goal difference separating Blackburn from a place in the relegation zone, every game in crucial for the men from Ewood Park they will not writing this game off as unwinnable.

Results over the weekend have not helped their cause and their defeat to local rivals Bolton in their last outing will not have done their confidence any good.

However, Blackburn do have some quality players dotted around their squad and none more so than their striker Yakubu (8/1 First Goalscorer) and the young an exciting talent David Hoilett.

This duo are likely to cause the likes of Ferdinand problems at the back so don’t be surprised to see either name on the scoresheet on Monday night.

Both teams have so much to play for at either end of the table, so these games can go either way at this the business end of the Premier League season.

However, on their current form, Mancini’s prediction of a draw looks unlikely and United should extend their lead at the top of the table with another win, with games running out for City.

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Blue night ahead for Rovers

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Friday’s Championship action sees a huge game between Doncaster Rovers and Birmingham City which will have an impact on the battle for play-off places and the fight against relegation.

Dean Saunders still appears confident that Rovers can escape the drop to League One, despite the fact that they are stuck in a poor run of results of three draws and three defeats which has ultimately seen them fall to the foot of the table.

The Welsh coach has targeted three successive wins from the game against the Blues at the Keepmoat Stadium, a trip to Leicester and the Easter Monday visit of Burnley to claw back the four-point deficit to the final position of safety.

Looking to the Birmingham game and Rovers will have to end a nine-game sequence without a win in front of their own fans if they are to pick up three points, while they have only managed 15 goals on home soil so far this season – the worst record in the Championship.

Shelton Martis and Pascal Chimbonda could be set to miss out for Rovers which will not help their need to come out on top in this one.

Chris Hughton’s Birmingham have also hit a sticky patch at just the wrong time as they look to seal a place in the end-of-season play-off places in order to keep alive their bid for an immediate return to the Premier League.

Just two wins in the last eight outings have left the Blues in sixth position, but only on goal difference ahead of Blackpool and Cardiff, while Hull and Leeds are also within striking distance should there be a slip-up in south Yorkshire.

Hughton will be boosted by having David Murphy back from suspension and he will return on the left side of defence, while Peter Ramage is set to stay on the right in the absence of Jonathan Spector and Stephen Carr.

Nikola Zigic is pressing for a recall, possibly at the expense of Erik Huseklepp, in the forward line as he bids to add to his goals tally, while there is a chance that both Pablo Ibanez and Keith Fahey could shake off injury problems in time to be available.

The two sides have only faced each other eight times competitively with the previous meeting at the Keepmoat Stadium seeing Birmingham come out on top 2-0 during the 2008/09 season thanks to first-half goals from Cameron Jerome and Hameur Bouazza.

Marlon King’s brace helped the Blues come from a goal down to seal a 2-1 win in the corresponding fixture at St Andrew’s in December and they will be looking to secure a similar result on Friday evening.

It is being billed as a must-win encounter for both sides and, despite Doncaster being unfortunate not to pick up more points than they have of late, Birmingham should have too much in attack in their quest for play-off points.

Prediction: Away Win 90 Minutes @ Evens

Value Bet: Birmingham To Win 2-0 Correct Score @ 8/1

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Rovers can reap revenge

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Blackburn Rovers (7/5 in Match Betting) can exact revenge on Sunderland (2/1, Draw 12/5) for their last-gasp defeat at the Stadium of Light earlier this season when the two clubs meet again at Ewood Park on Tuesday.

Rovers looked poised to take at least a point when they led going into the last 10 minutes in what promised to be frustrating first day at the office for recently-appointed manager Martin O’Neill back in December.

But David Vaughan’s late equaliser was followed by a stoppage-time winner from Sebastian Larsson, which left Rovers boss Steve Kean to rue his luck as his side missed out on the chance of moving above the Black Cats in the Premier League table.

How much did that goal change the fortunes of both clubs – Sunderland subsequently won six of their next nine matches to move far enough away from the relegation zone to begin thinking about challenging for a European slot next season. Blackburn lost their next two – also by a 2-1 scoreline – before briefly picking up between Christmas and New Year, but they will go into Easter still haunted by the spectre of Championship football next season (10/1 Sunderland win 2-1 in Correct Score).

Blackburn boss Kean does, however, have a virtually fully-fit squad to choose from for the return fixture.

Vince Grella is the only absentee as he continues to struggle with a calf problem, but Bradley Orr returns to the squad.

Sunderland will assess the fitness of full-back Phil Bardsley, who completed the 90 minutes against Everton in the FA Cup despite pain from a dig in the ribs he appeared to receive from Tim Cahill.

Stephane Sessegnon and Lee Cattermole remain suspended, while Kieran Richardson is out with a calf injury.

Blackburn played some of their most fluent football of the season in last week’s 2-0 away win at troubled Wolverhampton Wanderers and, with two goal hero Junior Hoilett playing well (2/1 Anytime Goalscorer), will be confident of causing Sunderland’s patched up back four problems.

O’Neill is still without Wes Brown and Titus Bramble, as well as Richardson, while Bardsley’s fitness could mean a reshuffle across the backline with Matthew Kilgallon in and John O’Shea moved to full-back.

For this reason, it may be prudent to look among the Blackburn squad for value in the First Goalscorer market and there appears to be some with Rovers centre-backs Scott Dann (33/1) and Grant Hanley (33/1).

Sunderland have conceded a league-high proportion of headed goals (32%) in the top flight and may be vulnerable from set-pieces at Ewood Park, which brings the big defenders up from the back.

The Black Cats have kept only one clean sheet in their last nine Premier League away games and could struggle to keep Rovers out, but expect O’Neill to put out an attacking line-up (10/11 Over 2.5 Goals).

Sunderland have scored more goals from direct free kick shots at goal than any other team and will be a threat at dead ball situations from Larsson and McClean.

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