We look ahead to Saturday's trip to Ewood Park.
Blackburn Rovers – Previous Encounter
Lancashire is the destination this weekend for the Rovers squad to face another team of Rovers from Blackburn. The home side lost in their last game at Ewood Park in the league against in form Birmingham and with the confidence gained from the performance at Queens Park Rangers, Rovers will be looking to continue in a similar vein but this time with an improved end result.
Over the years there has been 19 games played between the two sides but none for over 50 years until the clash between the teams earlier this season, so we look back to that tremendous three points at the Keepmoat.
Blackburn travelled to South Yorkshire without posting a win in the opening two games of the campaign as well as a morale and energy sapping defeat to Carlisle United on penalties in the League Cup. Rovers on the other hand were brimming with confidence after getting their first victory of the season in the League Cup.
It brought a quick return for former Rovers defender Tommy Spurr to the Keepmoat but he could do nothing about the home side’s passing ability and energy that overpowered a lacklustre visiting team who simply couldn’t cope with their opponents.
The visitors had their goalkeeper, Jake Kean, to thank for keeping the scores level for much of the opening 30 minutes or so as he thwarted Chris Brown, David Cotterill and Theo Robinson with a string of fine saves. However, with just eight minutes to the break he could do little to stop Robinson’s next effort as he headed home James Husband’s cross to give Rovers a more than deserved lead.
Scotland international Jordan Rhodes, was always going to be the chief threat for Blackburn and when he rounded Ross Turnbull many could be forgiven for fearing the worst but he missed the unguarded goal to the relief of ¾’s of the stadium.
During the half time break Blackburn must have felt the wrath of their manager Gary Bowyer, as they returned to the field with renewed vigour but their composure in front of goal left something to be desired; this time Chris Taylor was guilty of missing the target from a good position.
The visitors had a penalty appeal turned down as the ball struck Brown in the area but the referee deemed it ball to hand rather than an intentional infringement. Although they kept knocking on the door the visitors just couldn’t breakdown the resolute Rovers rearguard and with just over 30 minutes to go the home side made sure of the result as Husband’s went from provider to scorer as his wicked ball in from the flank deceived Kean and flew into the net.
Stats V Blackburn (A)
If ever a fixture was to be expected to see goals this is it. Rovers have a decent scoring record away from home against this weekend’s hosts, with an average of 1.5 goals per game being scored over in Lancashire. In fact the last three visits over the Pennines have yielded 2 goals per game for the visitors.
The last five games played between the sides have brought 21 goals, so expect more of the same this weekend as there has never been a goalless draw played between the sides in twenty games played. Also only three games have ended with just a solitary goal on the scoresheet, the last one being back in August 1951 when Rovers took the spoils in South Yorkshire.
This will be the 21st time the two sides have met, with the hosts currently having the lions share of victories.
Sky Bet
Football League Sponsors Sky Bet have Blackburn as favourites for Saturday's clash at Ewood Park.
Blackburn Rovers 1/2
Draw 3/1
Doncaster Rovers 6/1
To open an account with Sky Bet CLICK HERE
* Odds subject to change, correct as of 09/01/14
Coverage
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