Blackburn Rovers vs Stoke
EFL Championship
Saturday
10th February 2024
Ewood Park
The most comprehensive preview, detailed analysis and reliable predictions of the EFL Championship fixture between Blackburn Rovers and Stoke.
Blackburn Rovers vs Stoke: Preview
Blackburn Rovers form analysis
The Riversiders began 2024 with a disappointing loss away at Hull City (3-2) and a home draw with Rotherham (2-2), despite leading in both games. Their defensive struggles continued as they were thrashed 1-4 at West Bromwich Albion, with Fellows, a Thomas-Asante brace and a Hyam own goal putting Albion 4-0 ahead before Garrett grabbed a late consolation. Blackburn stopped the rot by holding promotion-chasing Huddersfield to a 1-1 home draw, taking the lead through Wharton before Helik equalized.
However, inconsistent form returned recently as Blackburn lost 1-2 at home to QPR. Despite Gallagher pulling a goal back, errors from goalkeeper Pears and the defense allowed QPR to score twice in three minutes to take control. Overall, Blackburn’s form in 2024 has been very poor. No wins in five Championship games highlights their inconsistency. If the manager cannot address their defensive issues and fast-improving attack soon, Blackburn may slowly slip down the table.
Stoke form analysis
Stoke City have endured a dreadful start to 2024, failing to win most of their five league games so far and conceding 10 goals in the process. After beginning the year with a drab goalless home draw against Ipswich, their defensive issues came to light as they suffered four consecutive defeats. First was a narrow 0-1 loss away to Rotherham, with Baker scoring the winner.
This was followed by a disappointing 1-2 home defeat to Birmingham as goals from Stansfield and Bacuna condemned Stoke to another loss, despite Thompson netting a late consolation. Stoke’s struggles continued with a heavy 1-3 loss away to Sunderland, before most recently, they were thrashed 0-5 at home by high-flying Leicester. In summary, Stoke’s form in 2024 has been extremely poor. No wins, just three goals scored and 10 conceded If the manager cannot address their issues in both boxes quickly, Stoke may slip into a survival fight.
Blackburn Rovers vs Stoke: Prediction
Blackburn are not in a good place going into the fixture as they are winless in four home league matches. They are second favourites against a side with just a loss in their last five away league matches.
At least three goals were seen in all but one of the last five league matches at this venue. To add to this Stoke’s recent fixtures have seen healthy score lines as well. I don’t see low scoring fixtures between these teams at the moment.
