Blackburn v Burnley Preview

I doubt this fixture got many second glances from the neutral but for the fans of Blackburn and Burnley, it would’ve been one of the first ones sought out when this season’s fixtures were released. There’s no love lost between the fans, in fact they hate each other with a passion and it will surely make for a white hot atmosphere at Ewood on Sunday. Other than a recent home win over Villa, Blackburn aren’t in the best of form and they are teetering just above the relegation zone in 16^th. A trip to the Emirates followed the Villa win and despite taking a shock early lead, Arsenal turned it on to hammer Blackburn 6-2. Sam Allardyce has an almost full strength squad to choose from. Australian midfielder Vince Grella is missing with a thigh injury sustained on international duty and Steven Reid has not yet recovered from an Achilles problem, but defenders Ryan Nelsen and Chris Samba and goalkeeper Paul Robinson are all available.

Burnley occupy a lofty 9^th spot in the Premier League thanks in no small part to a solid home record this season. In stark contrast to their “Played 4 Drawn 0 Lost 0” impressive home form, their away form doesn’t make good reading at all. Burnley are winless, drawless and goalless on their travels and the Clarets will be desperate to buck that trend on Sunday. Burnley have a number of long term injury worries including Fernando Guerrero, Chris McCann, Kevin McDonald, Martin Paterson and Jay Rodriguez who are expected to be out until the new year.

The East Lancashire Police will be grateful that these derbies don’t come around that often as the respective fans have only had 4 opportunities to spit venom at each other in the last 26 years, and it’s the first top flight showdown since 1966. Rovers certainly have the whip hand over Burnley having won 5 and drawing 1 of their last 6 encounters. It might be a local derby where current form only counts for so much but it would be foolish to ignore each team’s respective home and away form. It’s bound to be a physical clash which will also suit Rovers and I think the 1.8 for a Blackburn win is about right.

Stakes 5/10 on Blackburn at 1.8 with Ladbrokes. Click here to place your bet!