Blackburn v Preston predictions: Rovers can return to winning ways

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Blackburn Rovers v Preston North End in the Championship on Saturday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event & Football, 12pm Saturday

Best bet

Blackburn
1pt 5-4 general

Team news

Blackburn
Sam Gallagher is in contention but Harry Pickering and Jake Vale miss out.

Preston
Troy Parrott remains unavailable but Ben Whiteman is ready to return.

Match preview

Championship promotion-chasers Blackburn have had the best part of four weeks to stew over a miserable 3-0 loss at rivals Burnley but it could be their turn to secure the Lancashire derby spoils when they take on Preston at Ewood Park.

Rovers remain handily placed in the promotion race with just two points separating them from the automatic promotion positions and much of their success has been down to an impressive home record.

Jon Dahl Tomasson's men approach the Preston game on a sequence of six home wins and their chances are boosted by the availability of forward Sam Gallagher, who has recovered fully from a leg injury.

Gallagher has scored just three goals this season but he is a strong leader and Rovers have certainly played better when he has been in the team. The 27-year-old's 12 league starts have generated ten wins, while the other nine games have featured just two wins and seven losses.

Rovers' top scorer Ben Brereton Diaz tends to get more freedom and space when Gallagher is in the side and he will be hoping to add to his nine league goals.

Preston's back-line could have their hands full and are likely to struggle unless they can brush up on the defensive errors which contributed to a 4-2 loss at home to Millwall last time out.

Ryan Lowe's side had won the previous three games to lift themselves into playoff contention, but they are the division's lowest scorers with 18 goals and may struggle to deliver on one of their toughest road trips of the campaign.

Key stat

Blackburn have won nine of 11 home matches this season

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