In a potentially season-defining match for two promotion hopefuls, Blackburn Rovers are set to host Sunderland on Thursday in their 22nd Championship game of the season at Ewood Park.
The home side are fifth with 37 points but lost 1-0 against Millwall on Saturday, while the visitors have played one game more and are in fourth place with 43 points following their 2-1 victory against Norwich City on December 21.
Match preview
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Blackburn faced 17 shots against Millwall but prevented their opponents from creating good chances in front of goal, at least until the 96th minute when Mihailo Ivanovic netted a winner.
Boss John Eustace suggested that his side were unlucky, pointing to the adverse weather conditions as a contributory factor in their defeat, telling reporters: ""I thought the way the boys defended overall was excellent and to concede in the last minute was disappointing. We also played some good football today - the conditions really hampered that, but we still had two or three really good chances."
Eustace's team were in excellent form up until their loss last time out considering they had won their previous six matches, though they only scored one goal in four of those games.
However, their defensive record in that period was phenomenal given they kept five clean sheets in the five games prior to their clash against Millwall.
The Riversiders' form at home has been mixed, with the club having triumphed in their two most recent outings at Ewood Park but losing two and drawing one of the previous three.
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Opponents Sunderland conceded first against Norwich after just 20 minutes but scored two second-half goals from two set pieces.
Manager Regis Le Bris hailed his players, suggesting that the victory was not as a result of tactical instructions but rather individual quality, telling reporters: "It's a balanced feeling because winning is very important and it's not always about tactics, it's a question sometimes of character. This is a good quality of our team."
Sunderland finished 16th in the Championship last term with 56 points from 44 games, but Le Bris's team are only two points from second-placed Leeds United, who occupy the division's final automatic promotion spot.
The Black Cats have been difficult to beat having lost just once in their last 15 fixtures, while also winning three and drawing one of their four most recent games, scoring eight goals in that time.
It should be noted that the visitors' away form has not been as strong, with the team drawing three and losing one of their past five matches on the road.
Team News
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The hosts will be without midfielder Lewis Travis for six weeks after he suffered a hamstring injury against Millwall, and in his absence Eustace could start a double pivot of Sondre Trondstad and John Buckley.
Defenders Hayden Carter, Harry Pickering and Scott Wharton, as well as goalkeeper Balazs Toth, will miss out, so expect Aynsley Pears to be shielded by a defence consisting of Joe Rankin-Costello, Danny Batth, Dominic Hyam and Owen Beck.
Yuki Ohashi and Makhtar Gueye are likely to be given the nod up front given Arnor Sigurdsson and Zak Gilsenan are unavailable.
Meanwhile, Sunderland will be without a number of players including midfielders Alan Browne and Salis Abdul Samed, though Le Bris would likely have selected regulars Dan Neil and Jobe Bellingham in the starting XI regardless of their absence.
Centre-back Daniel Ballard is not scheduled to return to action until early January, while right-backs Jenson Seelt and Niall Huggins are also ruled out, so perhaps Luke O'Nien, Chris Mepham, Leo Fuhr Hjelde and Dennis Cirkin will start in a back four.
The Black Cats are almost certain to start Patrick Roberts, Chris Rigg and Eliezer Mayenda behind striker Wilson Isidor considering forwards Ahmed Abdullahi, Romaine Mundle and Tom Watson are injured.
Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:
Pears; Rankin-Costello, Batth, Hyam, Beck; Trondstad, Buckley; Cozier-Duberry, Ohashi, Cantwell; Gueye
Sunderland possible starting lineup:
Patterson; O'Nien, Mepham, Hjelde, Cirkin; Neil, Bellingham; Roberts, Rigg, Mayenda; Isidor
We say: Blackburn Rovers 2-2 Sunderland
Blackburn may struggle defensively on Thursday given they will be without key personnel in the backline, and it is difficult to see them keeping a clean sheet.
However, Sunderland have not fared well on their travels, and it would not be surprising if their clash ended in a stalemate.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
