PRE-MATCH PACK: Rotherham United v Blackburn Rovers

FORM GUIDE

Rovers come into this one hunting a third successive win to start 2023, with back-to-back 1-0 successes over Cardiff City and Norwich City. That followed three straight defeats, and five losses in six either side of the World Cup, as Rovers’ inconsistent form continues.

From 13 league away games, Rovers have taken 15 points, with five wins and eight defeats. They have only scored 10 goals, the second-fewest in the division.

The Millers have a symmetrical record of four wins, four draws and four defeats from their 12 home games, scoring 20 and conceding 17.

Since the win at Stoke City on October 18, it is one win, three draws and nine defeats for Rotherham.

LEAGUE TABLE

Rovers can cement third-place with victory in the early kick-off. They have a three point gap to seventh-placed Luton Town but are nine points behind Sheffield United in second.

Rotherham have 27 points from 26 games and are one point, and place, above the relegation zone. They will need a win if they are to climb any higher than 21st in the standings.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

From the moment Ben Brereton scored from the spot midway through the first half, Rovers took charge of the Ewood meeting in October, eventually winning 3-0. A second from Brereton and a Sam Szmodics strike wrapped things up.  However, it is only one win in six visits to the New York Stadium, that coming in April 2016.

FAMILIAR FACE

George Hirst was set to return to his former loan club, only to be recalled by Leicester City on Sunday night and then loaned to Ipswich Town.

TEAM NEWS

Chieo Ogbene is set to be back in the starting line-up for the hosts, who are hoping to get international clearance in time for new central defender Sean Morrison. Lee Peltier is in contention to feature, as is new loan signing Leo Hjelde.

OPPOSITION VIEW

Matt Taylor: “They’ve got a front four that would get into any team at this level, if not the level above. They have some outstanding players.

“There is a really clear style of play and we need to be proactive with our style of play to get at them.

“Their record of not drawing yet is incredible, but they’ve shown on numerous occasions that they are a match for anyone in the league.

“When we went there it was my second game and we started really well. We had three or four chances inside the first half an hour and I was really pleased.

“Then all of a sudden we were 1-0 down going into half time, and once we were chasing the game and leaving space in behind, their quality to exploit that was incredible.”

THE ODDS

Rovers are 11/10 to make it three wins in a row in 2023, with the Millers a 5/2 shot and the draw priced at 12/5. You can get odds of 6/1 on a 1-0 Rovers win for the third consecutive game.

REF WATCH

Dean Whitestone: Has handed out 55 yellow cards and one red in his 18 games, and has refereed in League One and League Two as well as the Championship. Will be his first Rovers game of the season, but third for the Millers. His last Rovers game was the 0-0 draw with Millwall in March.

STAT-ATTACK

Rovers haven't scored in 7 of their 13 away matches, however, the Millers have conceded 15 goals in their last seven home games since their last clean sheet.

Bradley Dack has scored two in his last three starts against Rotherham.

ELSEWHERE IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP

Bristol City v Birmingham City

Burnley v Coventry City

Cardiff City v Wigan Athletic

Hull City v Huddersfield Town

Luton Town v West Brom

Middlesbrough v Millwall

Preston North End v Norwich

Reading v QPR

Sheff United v Stoke City

Sunderland v Swansea City

Watford v Blackpool

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