Blackburn v Middlesbrough tips, Championship betting preview & TV channel

TV: Sky Sports Football & Main Event, 1pm Sunday

Blackburn's Sky Bet Championship playoff hopes have faded after three successive defeats but Tony Mowbray's mid-table side can get back to winning ways against Middlesbrough at Ewood Park.

Despite the recent dip in results it has been a largely positive season for Rovers, who have adjusted well to a higher level of football.

Finishing in the top six would be the icing on the cake and the match against Middlesbrough is a great opportunity for them to get back in the mix.

Mowbray gambled with his team selection at Reading on Wednesday, naming leading scorers Bradley Dack and Danny Graham among the substitutes, and it backfired as the Royals chalked up a 2-1 victory.

However, Dack and Graham should be back in the starting line-up this weekend and will be looking forward to getting to grips with a severely depleted Middlesbrough defence.

Boro boss Tony Pulis always builds his teams from the back and will be proud of his side's record of only 24 goals conceded, which is the best in the division.

But Pulis will be forced into a major defensive reshuffle after losing central defenders Aden Flint and Daniel Ayala during Wednesday's 1-0 loss at Sheffield United.

Flint had to go off after 33 minutes with a hamstring strain and Ayala is suspended after he was sent off in the second half.

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder admitted to pursuing more direct tactics in an effort to exploit the weakness at the heart of Boro's defence and his approach could be copied by Mowbray.

Blackburn's preference is to pass and move, but they have some aerial threats including Dack and marauding central defender Charlie Mulgrew, who has netted eight league goals this season.

They have produced some excellent home performances against the top teams, beating Leeds and West Brom, and look great value with the draw no bet.

Sky Bet Championship standings

Recommendation
Blackburn draw no bet
2pts Evs Betfred

Bet on this game at Soccerbase.com

Team news
Blackburn
Darragh Lenihan hasn't played since suffering a knee injury in the 5-2 loss at Brentford two weeks ago.

Middlesbrough
Aden Flint (hamstring) has been ruled out for at least three weeks and Daniel Ayala is serving a one-match ban.

Key stat
Middlesbrough have not kept a clean sheet in their last seven matches.

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