Blackburn’s hopes of challenging for automatic promotion appear to be over after a torrid run of results but they can boost their play-off chances by beating Cardiff on New Year’s Day.
The Lancashire outfit sat second in the Championship after beating Huddersfield 1-0 on November 5, but their form has taken a dramatic turn for the worse over the following weeks.
Rovers are now third and 11 points adrift of second-placed Sheffield United after losing four of their last five fixtures and they are looking over their shoulder with just a three-point gap to Reading in 10th.
Cardiff visit Ewood Park on Sunday after drawing four in a row following the appointment of Mark Hudson as Steve Morison’s successor.
The Bluebirds remain without a win in six games but Hudson has steadied the ship, avoiding defeat, and managing to keep clean sheets in each of their last two games.
Blackburn vs Cardiff Betting Tips
- Blackburn to win @ 13/10
- #PickYourPunt – Cedric Kipre to be carded and Ben Brereton to score anytime @ 13/2
Team news
Academy graduate John Buckley is set to miss out for Blackburn due to suspension so Lewis Travis is expected to earn a recall in midfield.
It’s unlikely Tomasson will make too many other changes to his XI with Sammie Szmodics and Tyrhys Dolan still sidelined.
Forward Callum Brittain and defender Jake Batty are also both unavailable due to injury, while Samuel Barnes remains a long-term absentee.
Cardiff right-back Mahlon Romeo sustained an injury in the goalless draw with Coventry and that should allow Tom Sang the chance to deputise.
Midfielder Ebou Adams has yet to feature following his summer switch from Forest Green Rovers due to injury and his return is still some way off, while forward Jamilu Collins is also unavailable.
Blackburn to win @ 13/10
Rovers made a great start to the season under new boss Tomasson, winning each of their opening three games, while a run of five victories from six outings through October saw them move into contention for automatic promotion.
Ultimately, Tomasson doesn’t appear to have the depth in his squad to sustain a push for a top-two berth, however, Rovers should have enough quality to compete for a play-off spot.
The Dane will be demanding a big performance from his men on Sunday after losing back-to-back league games and Cardiff could be there for the taking.
Hudson may have stopped Cardiff from losing matches but he hasn’t yet solved the problem of trying to win fixtures and they are likely to come unstuck at Ewood Park.
#PickYourPunt – Cedric Kipre to be carded and Ben Brereton to score anytime @ 13/2
Hudson has focused on trying to keep things tight in his first few games in charge of the Bluebirds and they are likely to be on the back foot for large periods against Blackburn.
With that in mind, centre back Cedric Kipre, who has already been booked six times this season, looks set for a testing afternoon.
The second selection for our #PickYourPunt comes in the shape of Ben Brereton Diaz scoring at anytime in the game.
The Chile international is Blackburn’s leading scorer in the Championship this campaign and he has previous when featuring against Cardiff.
Diaz netted a hat-trick when the Welsh outfit last travelled to Lancashire as Blackburn ran out 5-1 winners in September 2021.
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