Blackburn Rovers welcome Middlesbrough on Friday night in an English Championship matchup. With both teams vying for a playoff spot, a closely fought encounter is expected here, with little to separate them.
Blackburn come in this game off the back of a 1-0 defeat to Portsmouth last time out in Championship. The result means Valerien Ismael’s men have now lost their last four matches and are winless in eight of their last 10 outings, suffering seven defeats.
However, Blackburn have fared slightly better at home and are unbeaten in three of their last four Championship matches. They have been involved in a few close contests lately, with their last three home matches producing halftime draws.
Middlesbrough have been in good form lately and head to Ewood Park unbeaten in five of their last six Championship matches. They claimed a 2-1 victory over Oxford United last time out and are currently seventh in the table, level on points with sixth-placed West Brom.
A solid defence has allowed Boro keep two clean sheets and concede only four goals in their last six matches. However, Michael Carrick’s men are winless in six of their last seven away matches, playing out halftime draws in two of the last three in this run.
How the bookies view it: Slight edge for Boro
Middlebrough have the edge among the bookies, with BoyleSports offering 11/8 for an away win. A victory for Blackburn Rovers is priced at 17/10 while a draw is set at odds of 9/4.
Head to head: Blackburn on top
Blackburn have a 44-30 advantage with 29 draws from 103 previous matches against Middlesbrough. The hosts have also won six of the last seven meetings, including two away victories this season, beating Boro 1-0 in the reverse fixture and the FA Cup.
Players to watch: Eyes on defences
Blackburn Rovers have had shutouts in the two matches against Middlesbrough this season and will be targeting a repeat on Friday. Danny Batth and Dominic Hyam often partner at the back and can lead the hosts to another clean sheet at 13/5 with BoyleSports.
Middlesbrough did not concede in their previous away fixture at Luton Town and will be hopeful of a similar outcome. Neto Borges and Jonny Howson are expected to continue in central defence and can help the visitors keep a clean sheet at 9/4 with BoyleSports.
Probable line-ups
Blackburn will be without Emmanuel Dennis, Henry Leonard, Scott Wharton, Callum Brittain, Augustus Kargbo and top scorer Andreas Weimann due to injury. However, Aynsley Pears and Lewis Travis are expected to keep their spots while Makhtar Gueye is likely to make a return to the starting line-up.
For Middlesbrough, Luke Ayling, Harley Hunt, Ben Doak, Darragh Lenihan, Alex Bangura, Thomas George, Solomon Brynn and Seny Dieng are unavailable due to injury. However, Tommy Conway is expected to continue in attack alongside Finn Azaz and Kelechi Iheanacho.
Blackburn: Pears, Carter, Hyam, Batth, Ribeiro, Travis, S. Tronstad, Cantwell, Dolan, Hedges, Gueye
Middlesbrough: Travers, Dijksteel, Howson, Borges, R. Giles, Hackney, Morris, Azaz, Iling-Junior, Burgzorg, Iheanacho
Anything else catch the eye?
The last three matches between Blackburn Rovers and Middlesbrough have produced under 2.5 goals, which is priced at 5/6 with BoyleSports. Four of the hosts’ last five matches have not witnessed goals in both halves and with the last three matches against Middlesbrough offering a similar outcome, a repeat is priced at 20/21.
Both teams have been level at the break in their last three meetings, so a halftime draw can be considered at 21/20 with BoyleSports.
This England Championship match between Blackburn Rovers and Middlesbrough will be played on and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Blackburn Rovers vs Middlesbrough prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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