Blackburn Rovers welcome Brentford to Ewood Park in Friday Night Football from the Sky Bet Championship.
A win would see Blackburn climb above Bristol City, QPR and Millwall into 11th, whereas victory will return Brentford to second for at least 16 hours.
Team News
Jarrad Branthwaite could return for Blackburn after missing their last two matches against Millwall and Swansea through illness.
Adam Armstrong (hamstring), Lewis Holtby (knee), Scott Wharton (Achilles) and Daniel Ayala (calf) remain ruled out.
Brentford have no fresh injury concerns to report after their match against Rotherham last weekend was postponed.
Pontus Jansson (ankle), Rico Henry (hamstring) and Shandon Baptiste (knee) remain absent.
Stat Attack
- Blackburn are unbeaten in four of their last five meetings against Brentford (W2, D2, L1).
- Brentford have won just one of their last five trips to Ewood Park (W1, D1, L3).
- December’s 2-2 draw in West London marked the first time that this fixture had consecutive draws in 38 meetings.
- Four of Rovers’ last five home goals have come in the first half.
- Four of Brentford’s last seven away goals have come from Ivan Toney.
Prediction
Blackburn have recently enjoyed an improvement in form within the last fortnight but against a promotion chasing Brentford team, they need to be at their best again because the Bees will be fresh after having a week off.
Breaks however can occasionally be disruptive in terms of momentum but given their recent drop in form with two wins in six, the enforced gap has probably benefitted Brentford who should hopefully be back on form despite Ewood Park being one of their bogey grounds in recent seasons.
I however am expecting Blackburn to make life tough for the Bees but if Ivan Toney is back on form along with their midfield, I can see an away win coming if not a draw.
Prediction: Blackburn 1-2 Brentford
Result: Blackburn 0-1 Brentford
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