Blackburn Rovers vs Sunderland Prediction: Both sides expected to score

Two sides fighting for promotion will battle on boxing day as we see Blackburn Rovers settling scores with Sunderland at Ewood Park. A will for the visitors could move them to as far as second on the table, while the hosts will only push to close the gap to the 4th-placed team, Sunderland. Below, I have the team news, possible starting 11, some interesting facts, expert betting tips, and odds.

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Blackburn Rovers suffered a 1-0 loss to Millwall in their last game to end their six-game winning run. However, they are still enjoying a 2-game winning run at home. They sit 5th on the table with 37 points in 21 games, scoring 25 goals and conceding 18. Rovers have been impressive at the back in their recent games, and the consistency of Dominic Hyam and Danny Batth in the heart of the defence needs to be commended. They have kept five clean sheets in their last six games. However, the team will be without captain Lewis Travis (hamstring injury), Arnór Sigurdsson (thigh injury), and Hayden Carter (knee surgery). Zak Gilsenan, Harry Pickering, Scott Wharton, and goalkeeper Balazs Toth are all out due to injuries.

LWDWW

Sunderland recorded a 2-1 win over Norwich in their last game. Anis Slimane put Norwich ahead in the 21st minute before Daniel Ballard got an equaliser in the 47th minute, and Jobe Bellingham scored the winner in the 72nd minute. They remain unbeaten in their last four games, winning three and drawing one. The Black Cats have lost just one of their previous 15 games and sit 4th on the table with 43 points in 22 games, scoring 34 goals and conceding 18. However, due to injuries, manager Regis Le Bris will be without Niall Huggins, Salis Abdul Samed, Jenson Seelt, Alan Browne, and Daniel Ballard.

Blackburn Rovers — Aynsley Pears, Joe Rankin-Costello, Dominic Hyam, Danny Batth, Owen Beck, Lewis Travis, Sondre Tronstad, Tyrhys Dolan, Yuki Ohashi, Todd Cantwell, Makhtar Gueye.

Sunderland — Anthony Patterson, Luke O'Nien, Chris Mepham, Leo Fuhr Hjelde, Dennis Cirkin, Dan Neil, Jobe Bellingham, Patrick Roberts, Chris Rigg, Eliezer Mayenda, Wilson Isidor.

• Blackburn Rovers have kept five clean sheets in their last six games.
• Sunderland have won one of their last five away games.
• Sunderland are winless in five of their last six visits to Ewood Park.
• Blackburn Rovers have won six of their last seven games.
• Sunderland have lost just one of their last 15 games.

Blackburn Rovers have been impressive in their defence recently, but I don’t think they can withstand Sunderland's attack. Only three teams in the championship have scored more than Sunderland’s 34 this season. So, my first pick would be the BTTS. Moreover, the last three games between the two sides have seen such results. Also, while Sunderland have lost just once in their previous 15 games, they have won just one in their last six games here. So, I think the best they can get here is a draw.

• BTTS for 1.85 odds
• X for 3.30 odds
• Blackburn Rovers DNB for 1.90 odds