MY ACCOUNT
– Burnley are unbeaten in 11 Championship away games
– Blackburn have slipped out the play-off places following a six-game winless run
– Recommended bet: Burnley to win
Burnley were unable to clinch the Championship title following Saturday’s surprise 2-1 defeat at home to QPR, but the Clarets have a second bite of the cherry when they make the short trip to face Lancashire rivals Blackburn on Tuesday.
Vincent Kompany’s men have been a cut above the opposition in the Championship this season and, although it is only a matter of time until they are crowned champions, doing so at neighbouring opposition may be quite the incentive.
The Clarets have gone three games without a victory but they remain 10 points clear of second-placed Sheffield United, who have a fixture in hand, and they can seal the deal with maximum points at Ewood Park.
Rovers still harness promotion ambitions of their own but their play-off aspirations are hanging by a thread after Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Preston, who equalised in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
That extended their winless run to six games and leaves them eighth in the table, albeit only goal difference keeps them out of the top six, and this is their match in hand.
Team news
Blackburn remain without Samuel Barnes, John Buckley, Clinton Mola and Jack Vale for the visit of Burnley, while the match is still likely to come too soon for Spanish centre-back Daniel Ayala.
Burnley, meanwhile, are virtually at full-strength with Swedish defender Hjalmar Ekdal the only player guaranteed to miss out.
Leading scorer Nathan Tella, who tops Burnley’s scoring charts with 17 goals, limped off early in the draw against Reading and has missed the last two matches so could also be a doubt at Ewood Park.
The stats
Burnley suffered their first defeat in 23 league games when they were beaten 2-1 at home by QPR on Saturday, but the Clarets have not suffered back-to-back losses all season.
Kompany’s all-conquering men have been strong at home but also extremely efficient on their travels, losing only two of their 21 road games.
Since suffering a 5-2 defeat at Sheffield United in November, Burnley have gone 11 matches unbeaten on the road and they have kept six clean sheets in that period.
Premier League-bound Burnley were 3-0 winners in the reverse fixture at Turf Moor in November, meaning they have now won the last five Lancashire derbies against Blackburn.
Rovers are also desperate for the points as they bid to lock down a top-six finish and respond to their six-game winless run.
Jon Dahl Tomasson’s side have drawn their last four league matches, which includes consecutive home games against Hull and Coventry.
Five of Blackburn’s last six league games have featured two or fewer goals and, given the stakes and the rivalry, another low-scoring encounter may be on the cards.
Prediction
Burnley boss Kompany insists that his players will not make the same mistake twice ahead of Tuesday’s East Lancashire derby at Ewood Park, and that may spell trouble for Blackburn.
The Clarets have suffered a dip in form, coinciding with the injury to top scorer Tella, but they have been so much better than everyone else in the Championship this season that they are trusted to make amends.
Maximum points would reward them with the title and although play-off hopefuls Blackburn also have plenty at stake, Rovers are wilting under the pressure.
The hosts have gone six games without a win, failing to score in three of those games, which includes home meetings with Norwich and Hull.
That does not bode well given Burnley tend to up their game for a showdown with the leading lights and, having beaten Middlesbrough and Sheffield United already this month, are fancied to have the beating of Blackburn.
Back Burnley to win at 21/20 with LiveScore Bet.
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