Promised previews

So, here’re brief analyzes.

WBA - Blackburn

The hosts are probably the most underrated side in Premier. They don’t play bad at all, at Bolton created plenty of chances to score. Brunt hit the post at 0-1 and they lost at the end. Bad news is (only one bad)  mentioned Brunt is suspended due to fifth booking.

Hard times for Blackburn, thankfully to Indian owners. Allardyce’s departure was a big shock to the players and they responded badly with one point from two home games. Even with him, their away record was very bad. Best defender Samba said he wants to leave the club and Steve Kean has removed him from the squad! Maybe it’s too early for big conclusions, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Rovers relegated at the end. 

Home win.

Norwich – Sheff Utd

Norwich are a decent side, especially at home and important for this game is they didn’t play for a Boxing Day. Only defeat in last eight games was at home vs. Pompey that media called a robbery. Defender Leon Barnett is suspended, while right back Russel Martin and midfielder Wes Hoolahan are in doubt. Norwich also have very good record against United at home as they won in six of last seven games (five with a goal margin).

United not just played a game two days ago, but also suffered a shocking home defeat against Hull (conceded in additional time). I am not sure how they can recover physically and mentally. Besides that, Blades already lost every credibility as play-off contender and I can’t see them higher than middle of the table. 

Another home win.

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Stoke City – Blackburn Rovers

Stoke are a decent home side and despite not so good results lately (only 2 wins at home of last 10 games), they’ve been playing good and I expect better results. Against Spurs (1-2) were unlucky, as well as against West Ham (1-1). They’re creating plenty of chances (Stoke have hit the woodwork 8 times, more than any other team), but lacking in goals. Club made some serious investments in new players (Jones, Pennant and signing Gudjohnsen should be right move considering his aerial abilities) and I’m sure they will be improving.  They won at Newcastle 2-1 in last round and that should be additional moral boost.  Andy Wilkinson and mentioned Pennant are doubts, while Fuller’s injury is not as bad as it looked and he’ll be in the squad.

Rovers have noticed a good start of the campaign, but oppositely from the hosts they were lucky in few occasions that allowed them to sit in the middle of the table. God knows how they resisted against City (1-1 away) and they deserved a defeat at Blackpool but scored in additional time for a win. However, fact is Blackburn under Big Sam are very poor traveler. In previous season they won just 3 times on the road and in one before that 4 times. Majority of their points are collected at home, while away play without a pressure, keep 0-0 and try to use their most dangerous weapon – set pieces. Striker Roberts and midfielder Andrews should be fit for the game, but key man Dunn and Grella are still sidelined.

                                                                                     

Both sides carry old fashioned English football with lots of fight in the air and this won’t be pretty game to watch. However, I can see bigger desire for a win at Stoke and a decent amount of unused potential. Expect a tight game and 1-0 home win.

Bet: Stoke -0.25
Odd: 2.00 bet365
Stake: 8/10

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League One thoughts - one double and one gamble

I really would like Leeds to progress,they don't belong down there.But,there's something tragic in them in past couple of years.Few times they already were seen promoted and ended in tears.Wouldn't be surprised too much to see them wasting another season. Rovers are around 10.00 and worth a small gamble in my opinion.

Norwich and S'ton should finish the season in style and I'll take them in a double @ 1.85.

Strong bet could be Walsall at home vs MK Dons.Walsall are in run of four consecutive home wins.Dons are cut with injuries and suspensions and probably just wait to be over.In the previous round against Brighton (when I warmly suggested away win, bah),I think they had just 3 regulars and 40 years old coach in the team!However,I'm not sure should I go against them once again and will decide later.

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Liverpool - Blackburn

Liverpool started to raise their shape in correct time as they’ve approached to the final third of the season. The fact is 4th place would save the season as it wasn’t achieved more than that in previous campaigns. Otherwise, club would see a departure of Torres and probably Gerrard. However, they’re four points behind 4th Man.City and have to collect points in games like today’s. Good thing is Gerrard has been returning his shape which means all team plays for about 25% percents better. Rafa faces defensive problems as Skrtel suffered a broken metatarsal in EL, Kyrgiakos remains suspended and Johnson just started with light training. Carragher will return to his natural position in the center of defense, while Rafa will give a chance to Degen or youngster Martin Kelly on right back. The Reds like to play against Blackburn. They have lost only once to Rovers in their last 22 league meetings and only once at Anfield in last 15 games. 

Blackburn hold 12th place on the table, with ten points margin from relegation zone and it seems Big Sam has making an excellent job with, I think it is fair to say, limited squad. They look comfortable, but only thankfully to their record at home where they’ve collected 28 of total 34 points. On the road, they’re defending trying to keep 0-0, but it has only resulted with 8 scored goals (31 conceded) in 13 games! At the same time, their away record against top Premier sides looks more than discouraging. Arsenal (2-6), Chelsea (0-5), Man.Utd. (0-2), Everton (0-3), Man.City (1-4), Aston Villa (1-3, 4-6)! In last two visits two Anfield, they conceded seven goals in total (0-4, 1-3). Also, defense line will miss the skipper Ryan Nelsen. Chris Samba returns after a ban, while Dunn, Basturk, Di Santo and Reid played a midweek reserve game and will appear.

Liverpool desperately need three points and there’s no space for any kind of relaxation. It’s too big stake. They perform much better and consistent than before a month, for example and I expect a confident performance. On the other hand, Rovers feel comfortable in the middle of the table and possible defeat at Anfield wouldn’t be a disaster. I expect little less defensive formation from Allardyce than usual and few goals conceded. Liverpool win with -1.5 handicap.

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Fulham 1-2 Blackburn Rovers

Rovers picked up their biggest three points of the season as they came from behind to beat Fulham 2-1 at Craven Cottage.
The home side were quick out of the traps, taking the lead after just two minutes when Clint Dempsey took advantage of some hesitant defending.
Sam Allardyce's side were rocking in the opening period, but slowly took control, Stephen Warnock being terribly unlucky to see his curled effort come off the inside of the post and away to safety.
But in the second half a change of formation brought about a change of luck. El-Hadji Diouf poked home from close-range to score his first goal for the club since his move from Sunderland in January to bring the two sides level.Warnock, who could have had a hat-trick saw two goalbound shots brilliantly saved by Mark Schwarzer, but the Fulham 'keeper had no answer to Jason Roberts' strike five minutes time which saw Rovers claim a huge three points which moves them up to 15th in the table.

Before the game Sam Allardyce made three changes. There was a surprise return to the starting line-up for goalkeeper Paul Robinson. The England international having recovered from the shoulder injury that forced him to miss the previous game. After serving his one-match ban Morten Gamst Pedersen returned to the starting eleven in place of the injured Roque Santa Cruz, whilst other injury victim Vince Grella was replaced by Tugay.

www.rovers.co.uk