Blackburn Rovers look to spring a Fifth Round cupset against Newcastle United at Ewood Park.
Victory would see Blackburn reach the Quarter-Finals for the second consecutive season, whilst Newcastle seek their first appearance beyond this stage since the 2019-20 season.
Team News
Ryan Hedges is a doubt for Blackburn after he was substituted with a groin injury in the first half of their eventual 1-1 draw against Norwich in the Championship.
Joe Rankin-Costello (knee), John Fleck (calf), Hayden Carter (hamstring), Sam Barnes (thigh) and Harry Leonard (back) remain ruled out.
Newcastle could welcome Martin Dubravka back into contention after he missed their Premier League defeat at Arsenal due to illness.
Elliott Anderson (back), Matt Targett (hamstring), Nick Pope (shoulder), Sandro Tonali (suspension), Callum Wilson (chest) and Joelinton (quad) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Blackburn host Newcastle at Ewood Park on Tuesday 27 February in a 7:45pm GMT kick-off, live on BBC1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Blackburn are winless in their last eight FA Cup meetings against Newcastle across five ties (D3, L5).
- Newcastle have won four of six previous FA Cup visits to Blackburn (W4, L2), with their four wins coming in their last four such visits to Ewood Park in this competition.
- Blackburn are unbeaten in two of their three previous Fifth Round ties against Newcastle (W1, D1, L1), although they lost their second tie by a 1-0 result in a home replay after a 0-0 draw at St James’ Park in February 1999.
- Victory would see Blackburn claim consecutive Quarter-Final berths for the first time since 1927-28 & 28-29 seasons.
- Newcastle have scored five goals without conceding in their two FA Cup ties this season (W2).
Prediction
Although this season has been very disappointing for Blackburn compared to last season’s high standards, they are unbeaten in three matches – albeit three draws, which is a small positive but this will be their toughest test of the season yet with just one clean sheet since December.
Newcastle meanwhile were realistically never going to get anything other than a goal at Arsenal but they can’t forget how they were easily torn apart defensively, which has to be more solid because this is a game where they can attack more and will be favourites.
Neither team though are exactly in strong form so this could well be close but I expect Newcastle to be more solid than they were in North London and avoid a cupset.
Prediction: Blackburn 1-2 Newcastle
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