MX23RW : Sunday, November 24 10:14:15| >> :120:48988:48988:
[monks data]
Blackburn logo
Championship
Aug 23, 2014 at 3pm UK
 
Bournemouth logo

3-2

Rhodes (13'), Hanley (21'), Gestede (24')
FT(HT: 3-0)
Pitman (81' pen.), Cook (90')

Preview: Blackburn Rovers vs. Bournemouth

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship clash between Blackburn Rovers and Bournemouth at Ewood Park.

Bournemouth's dream start to the season came to an end on Tuesday, but they will be looking to make a swift return to winning ways when they face Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park this weekend.

Having won all three of their matches in league and cup without conceding a goal, the Cherries were finally pipped by much-fancied Nottingham Forest in midweek after surrendering a second-half lead.

That result saw Eddie Howe's side lose their place at the top of the league, but they will still be pleased with how they have started the season overall, with a commanding victory over Huddersfield Town on the opening day setting the tone.

Whether they can sustain their form and make a strong push for the playoffs this season remains to be seen, but Saturday's match away to a side that is also expected to be challenging for the top six could give some clues as to how serious a contender Bournemouth are.

It is looking increasingly like new signing Callum Wilson will be crucial to any success the Cherries do have this season, with the striker having netted three times in three starts since his summer move.

He is expected to be joined by Yann Kermorgant up front once more, with Eddie Howe able to name an unchanged side with no new injury concerns.

Blackburn also tasted defeat in the league for the first time this season on Tuesday, losing 3-1 to Norwich City at Carrow Road.

Like Bournemouth, Rovers actually took the lead in their match, although Tom Cairney's strike in the very first minute left Gary Bowyer's side with a long time to hold out.

It has been a mixed start for Blackburn on the whole, with an impressive draw against recently-relegated Cardiff City to kick off the campaign before an away win over troubled Blackpool.

However, they were also stunned by Scunthorpe United in the first round of the League Cup and will know that improvement is needed if they are to reach the playoffs this season.

Much of their success could depend on whether they keep Jordan Rhodes at the club, with Hull City said to be lining up a move for the striker.

However, Rudy Gestede is quickly establishing himself as every bit as important to the team as his strike partner having scored 10 goals in his last 10 games stretching back to the previous campaign.

That duo are once again expected to lead the way for the hosts this weekend, with Bowyer having no new fitness concerns to worry about.

Recent form

Blackburn: DLWL

Bournemouth: WWWL

Possible starting lineups

Blackburn: Robinson; Lowe, Baptiste, Hanley, Olsson; Cairney, Evans, Williamson, Conway; Gestede, Rhodes

Bournemouth: Camp; Smith, Elphick, Cook, Daniels; Ritchie, O'Kane, Arter, Stanislas; Wilson, Kermorgant

Sports Mole says: 2-1


ID:172300: cacheID:172300:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6224:No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Junior Stanislas
Read Next:
Stanislas sees Cherries past Brentford
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Vikings
@
Bears
6pm
Lions
@
Colts
6pm
Patriots
@
Dolphins
6pm
Buccaneers
@
Giants
6pm
Chiefs
@
Panthers
6pm
Titans
@
Texans
6pm
Cowboys
@
Washington
9.05pm
Broncos
@
Raiders
9.25pm
49ers
@
Packers
9.25pm
Cardinals
@
Seahawks
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sunderland1695226121432
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd1610422191232
3Burnley168621961330
4Leeds UnitedLeeds158522491529
5Middlesbrough1683529191027
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom166821811726
7Watford168262524126
8Millwall166641914524
9Blackburn RoversBlackburn156451917222
10Bristol City165742020022
11Derby CountyDerby165562020020
12Stoke CityStoke165561920-120
13Norwich CityNorwich164752524119
14Swansea CitySwansea155461110119
15Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds165471826-819
16Luton TownLuton165381826-818
17Coventry CityCoventry164572223-117
18Oxford UnitedOxford Utd164571924-517
19Plymouth ArgylePlymouth164571728-1117
20Preston North EndPreston163761624-816
21Cardiff CityCardiff164481524-916
22Hull City163671621-515
23Portsmouth152671628-1212
24Queens Park RangersQPR161871326-1311


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!