Blackburn vs Rotherham
EFL Championship
Monday
1st January 2024
Ewood Park
The most comprehensive preview, detailed analysis and reliable predictions of the EFL Championship fixture between Blackburn and Rotherham.
Blackburn vs Rotherham: Preview
Blackburn form analysis
Rovers’ festive form has proved hugely disappointing, abruptly halting an impressive start to the season. On December 13th, Rovers started brightly by beating struggling Bristol City 2-1 at home courtesy of strikes from Sigurðsson and defender Wharton before conceding late to Sykes. However, Blackburn then suffered an alarming setback in a chastening 4-0 thrashing away at top flight Southampton in the League Cup four days later, outclassed from start to finish. Their misery continued on December 23rd at home to Watford, ahead early through Wharton before capitulating late on in a 1-2 defeat.
With defensive frailties badly exposed, Blackburn’s slide continued away at revitalized Huddersfield on Boxing Day, comfortably beaten 3-0 in an abject showing. Needing a response away at Hull on December 30th, leaky Blackburn twice rallied from a goal behind before ultimately deservedly beaten 2-3, despite strikes from summer signings Szmodics and Pickering. Overall it’s been a disastrous festive period for Blackburn, abruptly halting early season momentum. Fixing obvious issues in defence and midfield now looks essential to revive fading promotion hopes.
Rotherham form analysis
Rotherham United have experienced a mixed bag of results over the busy festive period. On December 13th, high flying Rotherham suffered a reality check at home to West Brom, succumbing to a disappointing 0-2 defeat after a goalless first half courtesy of strikes from Diangana and Wallace. Rotherham’s woes continued away at Plymouth three days later, falling to a five goal thriller 2-3 despite taking the lead through Lindsay and later equalizing through Eaves after Azaz’s double either side of Ayala’s dismissal.
With confidence knocked, Rotherham then came unstuck away at top flight Leicester in their next match on December 23rd, comfortably beaten 0-3 by ruthless finishing from Daka (2) and starlet Casadei. However, Rotherham produced the perfect home response on Boxing Day by edging past Middlesbrough 1-0 thanks to Bramall’s well struck winner. Most recently at home against Sunderland on December 30th, Rotherham fought back from behind to claim a creditable 1-1 draw with promotion hopefuls Sunderland courtesy of Clucas’ equalizer after conceding early to Clarke.
