Both looking to move away from the relegation spots in the second-tier table, Blackburn Rovers will do battle with Stoke City at Ewood Park on Saturday afternoon in the Championship.
Rovers were defeated 2-1 by relegation rivals Queens Park Rangers last time out, while the Potters were smashed by league leaders Leicester City.
Match preview
© Reuters
Jon Dahl Tomasson's tenure as Blackburn Rovers boss appears to be nearing its conclusion, with the 47-year-old Dane having reportedly handed in his resignation after a calamitous end to the January transfer window, coupled with the team's dire situation on the pitch of late.
Flying from America to England just days before the deadline, Orlando City striker Duncan McGuire spent his 21st birthday in Lancashire aiming to get a deal to join Rovers over the line, but due to an administrative error, Saturday's hosts were unable to secure a much-needed centre forward.
Former Birmingham City manager John Eustace is favourite to take the spot in the managerial hotseat at Ewood Park, with the 44-year-old ex-Stoke player without a job since being harshly sacked by Blues' ambitious American owners in October, when the Second City club were sat in sixth.
Heading into this weekend's all-important clash, Blackburn are currently occupying 18th position in the second-tier standings with 33 points from 29 Championship matches, meaning they are five points ahead of Marti Cifuentes's QPR who are in the highest of the relegation spots.
Key to Rovers staying out of serious danger at the foot of the division has been the goalscoring antics of former Peterborough United man Sammie Szmodics, with the 28-year-old bagging 16 goals in 27 league appearances so far - 11 more than any of his Blackburn teammates.
© Reuters
Following the hard-earned 1-0 success at basement dwellers Rotherham United on January 13, Stoke City have suffered three-straight defeats in the Championship which have tainted Steven Schumacher's largely-positive start to life as head coach at the Staffordshire club.
Last time out saw Enzo Maresca's league leaders come to the bet365 Stadium and put on a five-star performance, with braces from Jamie Vardy and Patson Daka - alongside a strike from Kasey McAteer, securing the Foxes a five-goal victory, inflicting the Potters their worst defeat of the term.
Having won just two matches since swapping the Devonshire coast of Plymouth Argyle for the West Midlands, Schumacher has seen his side drop to 20th in the Championship standings, sitting just four points above 22nd-placed QPR, although Stoke will leapfrog Blackburn with a win this weekend.
A busy transfer deadline day witnessed the arrival of two attacking signings for Stoke, with Niall Ennis and Million Manhoef joining from Rovers and Eredivisie strugglers Vitesse respectively - the latter is now plying his trade outside of the Netherlands for the first time in his career.
The Potters are unbeaten during their last five visits to Ewood Park stretching back to February 2015, with a first-half strike from ex-Chelsea youngster Lewis Baker enough to hand Alex Neil's men victory at the home of Blackburn during the 2022-23 campaign.
Team News
© Reuters
After losing to QPR last time out, Blackburn are expected to make a number of changes, with the likes of Yasin Ayari and Dilan Markanday pushing for starts.
Rovers are without the services of defenders Harry Pickering and Hayden Carter, with the pair suffering both suffering in the medical room due to hamstring issues.
January signing Kyle McFadzean is still waiting for his Blackburn debut, and this weekend could present an opportunity for the centre-back to be selected in the starting XI.
Stoke should make plenty of changes from the side who were heavily defeated by Leicester, with Andre Vidigal and Luke McNally primed to be promoted from the bench.
The Potters remain without influential midfielder Josh Laurent, who is currently recovering from an ankle injury sustained in the middle of February.
Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:
Pears; Rankin-Costello, Hyam, Wharton, Chrisene; Dolan, Tronstad, Moran, Markanday; Szmodics, Gallagher
Stoke City possible starting lineup:
Bonham; Hoever, McNally, Rose, Thompson; Cundle, Pearson, Burger; Vidigal, Bae, Campbell
We say: Blackburn Rovers 1-2 Stoke City
Although Eustace could be in the dugout in time for Saturday, we do not expect a new manager bounce immediately for Blackburn this weekend.
Stoke were woeful in the Leicester defeat, but with a couple of alterations to the XI they should be good enough for three points from this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Carter White
