Blackburn v Sunderland predictions: Rovers return could be painful for Mowbray

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Blackburn Rovers v Sunderland in the Championship on Tuesday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Football, 8pm Tuesday

Best bet

Blackburn
1pt 5-4 general

Team news

Blackburn
Daniel Ayala is a doubt and Lewis Travis serves a one-match ban.

Sunderland
Corry Evans is available after suspension but Lyndon Gooch is a doubt and Dan Ballard, Ellis Simms and Ross Stewart remain unavailable.

Match preview

Inconsistent Blackburn have followed each of their last seven victories with defeat but they can snap that sequence by defeating Sunderland at Ewood Park.

The match marks a Rovers' return for Sunderland manager Tony Mowbray, who was in the Blackburn dugout from 2017 to 2022.

Mowbray would dearly love to show his former club what they are missing but his attacking options are severely constrained by the ongoing absences of strikers Ellis Simms and Ross Stewart.

Sunderland dug out a 2-1 victory at home to Wigan on Saturday but they had scored just once in the previous three games and are at risk of being overpowered by a Rovers side featuring prolific striker Ben Brereton Diaz.

Blackburn's October home wins over Millwall (2-1) and Rotherham (3-0) were heavily influenced by Brereton Diaz, who contributed three of their five goals, and the Chilean's extra quality could make the difference against Sunderland.

Key stat

Blackburn have won their last three home matches.

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