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Back Brentford to send Blackburn down

Brentford's Romaine Sawyers (left) speaks with Lasse Vibe
Brentford's Romaine Sawyers (left) speaks with Lasse VibeCredit: Alex Pantling

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It is 37 years since Blackburn last plied their trade in the third tier of English football.

And if Rovers are to avoid that drop they must achieve one clearly defined goal on their season-ending trip to Brentford: better Nottingham Forest's result against Ipswich.

With only one goal separating the sides on goal difference, that can even include defeat at Griffin Road but relying on such an outcome would obviously be a risky strategy.

Resting on their laurels isn't a sensible option either over what is sure to be a nerve-wracking 90 minutes for fans and players alike.

Four matches without defeat, including wins over Forest and Aston Villa, have ensured Tony Mowbray's side have taken the fight for survival to the final day, but adopting the conservative approach that has borne fruit in recent weeks may not serve them so well against the Bees.

Only top-six Reading and Sheffield Wednesday have taken more points from their last eight games than Dean Smith's hosts, who have overcome a host of injuries to secure a third consecutive top-half finish since their promotion from League One in 2014.

Once again they have been deadly in attack this term, especially on home soil where they have scored 41 goals, and should they get in front, that could blow this crunch clash wide open.

That will certainly suit the hosts far more than it will Blackburn, who may have to rely on Ipswich doing them a favour in the East Midlands.

Recommendation
Brentford and over 2.5 goals
1pt 5-2 Paddy Power


Team news
Brentford
Maxime Colin (hip) and Ryan Woods (foot) are likely to join Rico Henry on the sidelines. Alan McCormack (groin) is hopeful of making his final Bees appearance before leaving in the summer.

Blackburn
Tony Mowbray has no new injury concerns for the trip to Griffin Park but Corry Evans (groin) is a definite absentee.

Key stat
Brentford have won their last four home games by an aggregate scoreline of 11-1.

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