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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


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Game History

How you voted: Blackburn vs Watford

Blackburn Rovers
47.8%
Draw
21.7%
Watford
30.4%
23
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
2Leeds UnitedLeeds45279980413990
3Ipswich TownIpswich442612688563290
4Southampton452591185622384
5Norwich CityNorwich4521101479631673
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom4520121367472072
7Hull City451913136859970
8Middlesbrough45199176861766
9Coventry CityCoventry4417131468551364
10Preston North EndPreston44189175661-563
11Bristol City451711175347662
12Cardiff CityCardiff45195215165-1462
13Swansea CitySwansea451512185964-557
14Watford451317156058256
15Sunderland45168215252056
16Millwall451511194455-1156
17Queens Park RangersQPR451411204557-1253
18Stoke CityStoke451411204560-1553
19Blackburn RoversBlackburn451311215874-1650
20Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds45148234268-2650
21Plymouth ArgylePlymouth451212215870-1248
22Birmingham CityBirmingham451211224965-1647
23Huddersfield TownHuddersfield45918184875-2745
RRotherham UnitedRotherham45412293287-5524


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