Blackburn Rovers v Wigan Athletic: Prediction, odds, team news and free tip

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Blackburn Rovers v Wigan Athletic in the Sky Bet Championship.

Where to watch

Live on Sky Sports Football, 7.45pm Monday

Best bet

Blackburn Rovers
1pt 5-6 Betfred, Coral, Hills
Back this tip with Coral

Team news

Blackburn
Bradley Dack is available after a ban and Derrick Williams (calf) is back in contention.

Wigan
Charlie Mulgrew (calf) and Danny Fox (groin) miss out and David Marshall (neck) is a doubt. Joe Williams and Kieffer Moore are close to returns but lack match fitness.

Match preview

Blackburn continue to fly under the radar in the Sky Bet Championship promotion race but they have won their last four home fixtures and look solid odds-on favourites to defeat Wigan at Ewood Park.

Tony Mowbray is doing an excellent job in the Rovers dugout – he led them to Sky Bet League One promotion in 2017-18 and has established them as a strong second-tier outfit.

Blackburn started this season with back-to-back defeats but recovered well and hit a purple patch after the November international break, taking 16 points from a possible 18.

In the six-match form table they were joint-top alongside title-chasing West Brom and Leeds going into this weekend's games, and they approach the frantic Christmas period with a virtually fully-fit squad.

Star player Bradley Dack returns from suspension to face Wigan and Mowbray will consider the merits of recalling first-team regulars Stewart Downing, Corry Evans, Adam Armstrong, Joe Rothwell and Danny Graham, who were rested for the 2-0 victory at Bristol City.

Being able to make six changes and take three away points against promotion rivals is hugely encouraging for Mowbray, demonstrating that he has the necessary strength-in-depth to mount a sustained promotion challenge.

While Blackburn eye up the top six, Wigan are fighting for their lives at the wrong end of the table.

The Latics have not won in ten matches and their away record has been dreadful since they won the League One title in 2017-18 by two points after a battle with Blackburn.

Since their return to the Championship they have won just two away league games, drawn eight and lost 24.

They stayed up last season because their home record was the best in the bottom half, but even their performances at the DW Stadium are tailing off.

A lack of firepower has been a major issue for Paul Cook's side, who are the lowest scorers in the division.

Summer signing Kieffer Moore - injured for the last two games - has struggled, netting just twice this season.

On-loan Wolves attacker Bright Enobakhare has been plagued by injuries and their main goal threat has come from central defender Chey Dunkley, who has bagged five in 19 appearances.

Adding greater firepower should be one of Cook's top priorities next month but his team could be in even deeper trouble when the transfer window opens.

Three of Wigan's next four league fixtures are away from home and they are unlikely to bring much festive cheer to the club's long-suffering supporters.