MX23RW : Sunday, November 17 12:24:44| >> :120:33491:33491:
[monks data]
Blackburn logo
Championship | Gameweek 23
Dec 23, 2023 at 3pm UK
Ewood Park
Watford logo

Blackburn
1 - 2
Watford

Wharton (3')
Garrett (36'), Moran (89')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Rajovic (83'), Healey (87')
Hoedt (65'), Rajovic (81'), Andrews (87')

Preview: Blackburn Rovers vs. Watford - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship clash between Blackburn Rovers and Watford, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Blackburn Rovers and Watford meet at Ewood Park on Saturday afternoon each looking for the win that will see them move back into Championship playoff contention.

The two clubs currently sit on the same points in 11th and ninth respectively, five points adrift of sixth-placed Hull City in the standings.


Match preview

Blackburn Rovers manager Jon Dahl Tomasson reacts on October 1, 2023© Reuters

As has become their trademark under Jon Dahl Tomasson, it has been one step forward and two steps back for Blackburn of late, as they bid to challenge for the top six.

Back-to-back defeats to Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United were followed by a much-needed 2-1 triumph over Bristol City at Ewood Park.

However, Rovers would then produce one of their worst performances of the season - not helped by a second-half red card - as they succumbed to a 4-0 defeat at Southampton.

To their credit, Blackburn still boast the sixth-best away record in the division, but they have now conceded seven strikes on trips to Hillsborough and St Mary's.

The gap to the playoffs stands at five points, while they are just two points above 14th, and it highlights the need to get maximum points on the board again as soon as possible.

While Watford have only collected four points from a three-game period themselves, there is a sense that they are far better equipped to challenge for promotion.

Although just one point was claimed from a double-header with Southampton and Ipswich Town at Vicarage Road, the Hornets responded by thrashing Preston North End by a 5-1 scoreline away from home.

Valerien Ismael's side now have six wins and just two defeats from their last 12 matches in the Championship ahead of what appears to be a favourable run of games.

Complacency may be a concern given the manner of their success last weekend, yet Ismael will feel that momentum is building ahead of the second half of the campaign.

Blackburn Rovers Championship form:

Watford Championship form:


Team News

Watford manager Valerien Ismael applauds fans after the match on August 19, 2023© Reuters

Several changes are expected to be made to the Blackburn XI, including an alternative needing to be found for the suspended Callum Brittain.

Tomasson may also deem it to be the right time to recall Lewis Travis to the midfield at a time when Niall Ennis and Harry Leonard are competing for an attacking role.

On his return from injury, Dominic Hyam remained an unused substitute at St Mary's, but he may be considered for a start here.

Barring any fitness issues, Ismael may be prepared to stick with the Watford XI that ruthlessly thrashed Preston at Deepdale.

While Ryan Porteous and Yaser Asprilla are obvious options to return to the fold, they could have to make do with a spot among the replacements.


Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:
Wahlstedt: Hill, Carter, S. Wharton, Pickering; Travis, A. Wharton; Sigurdsson, Szmodics, Moran; Ennis

Watford possible starting lineup:
Hamer; Dele-Bashiru; Sierralta, Hoedt, Lewis; Kayembe, Livermore, Kone; Martins, Bayo, Sema


SM words green background

We say: Blackburn Rovers 1-1 Watford

The inconsistency of both teams make this a difficult one to predict. We fancy Watford to make an impression after their recent demolition job of Preston, yet it would not be Blackburn-like if they did not respond to a defeat by getting back on track.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data


ID:531866:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect9128:

Previews by email

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


Game History

How you voted: Blackburn vs Watford

Blackburn Rovers
47.8%
Draw
21.7%
Watford
30.4%
23
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Ipswich Town's Sam Morsy celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates on December 12, 2023
Read Next:
Saturday's Championship predictions including Ipswich vs. Norwich
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Packers
@
Bears
6pm
Raiders
@
Dolphins
6pm
Colts
@
Jets
6pm
Jags
@
Lions
6pm
Rams
@
Patriots
6pm
Browns
@
Saints
6pm
Ravens
@
Steelers
6pm
Vikings
@
Titans
9.05pm
Seahawks
@
49ers
9.05pm
Falcons
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Chiefs
@
Bills
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sunderland1594225111431
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd1510321971231
3Leeds UnitedLeeds158522491529
4Burnley157621861227
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom15672169725
6Watford158162322125
7Middlesbrough157352317624
8Millwall156541813523
9Blackburn RoversBlackburn156451917222
10Bristol City155732019122
11Swansea CitySwansea155461110119
12Derby CountyDerby155461919019
13Stoke CityStoke155461819-119
14Norwich CityNorwich154652322118
15Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds155371725-818
16Oxford UnitedOxford Utd154561718-117
17Coventry CityCoventry154472021-116
18Plymouth ArgylePlymouth154471526-1116
19Hull City153661620-415
20Preston North EndPreston153661523-815
21Luton TownLuton154381726-915
22Cardiff CityCardiff154381423-915
23Portsmouth152671628-1212
24Queens Park RangersQPR151771225-1310


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!