Mowbray’s struggling Blackburn face tough trip to the capital

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Blackburn Rovers take on Millwall at the Den, hoping to snap their torrid run of league form and steer clear of the drop, with under-pressure boss Tony Mowbray desperate for a win.

Overview

Struggling Blackburn Rovers visit The Den on Saturday to take on middle of the pack Millwall.

Rovers will be looking to snap a seven-game streak without a win. However, with the hosts in some solid form, losing just one of their last 11 in the Championship games, Tony Mowbray’s side will have their work cut out.

Mowbray is certainly under some pressure in the Blackburn hotseat, losing once again on Tuesday night at the hands of Reading, who defended doggedly to shut out the Rovers attack.

One point from their previous seven games should have the alarm bells ringing at Ewood Park, with Mowbray’s chances of staying there getting slimmer by the game.

Despite going behind after just 12 minutes in midweek against Preston, Millwall on the other hand fought back to wrestle away all three points to continue this good run of form.

Millwall hold one of the league’s best defences, ranking only behind Norwich, Watford and Swansea for least goals conceded. All those teams sit in the play-offs or automatic promotion spots, so it’s clear that Gary Rowett has this team defending resolutely.

They’ve got previous…

Millwall will be looking to win back-to-back home league games against Blackburn for the first time since 1970. The visitors last completed a league double over Millwall back in 1991-92, the season in which they earned promotion to the Premier League.

Blackburn’s last visit to The Den back in July 2020 saw the hosts win 1-0 thanks to a Mason Bennett goal early on. Rovers have lost four of their last seven visits to the capital, most recently losing again 1-0, that occasion to the hands of QPR back in early February, a loss that sparked this dire winless streak.

Team News

Millwall: Jon Dadi Bodvarsson should keep his place up top, ahead of both Tom Bradshaw and Matt Smith. Rowett could shake up the midfield with Ben Thompson potentially coming into the side.

Injuries: Kenneth Zohore, Connor Mahoney, Murray Walace, Maikel Kieftenbeld, Ryan Leonard.

Blackburn Rovers: Both Bradley Dack and Lewis Travis could be in contention to be recalled to the starting XI. Taylor Harwood-Bellis may be brought in for Jarrad Branthwaite in defence.

Injuries: Lewis Holtby, Daniel Ayala, Scott Wharton, Joe Rankin-Costello, Bradley Johnson, Sam Gallagher, Jacob Davenport.

Key Players

Gary Rowett’s side are built on the foundations of a strong defence. Central defender Shaun Hutchinson will be crucial at the heart of the Millwall back three, with his leadership and aerial strength being pivotal to their defensive success this season.

The visitors will be once again looking to rely on Adam Armstrong up top for goals. The 24-year-old has bagged 19 goals in the league this season, only behind Brentford’s Ivan Toney in the golden boot race. Armstrong has been directly involved in six goals in eight league appearances against Millwall (four goals, two assists)

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