Derby County vs Blackburn Rovers predictions: Defences to keep scoring to a minimum
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- Fewer than two goals have been scored in six of Derby's last eight Championship matches
- Fewer than two goals have been scored in five of Blackburn's last nine away league games
- Recommended Bet: Under 1.5 goals
Play-off-chasing Blackburn Rovers come up against former boss John Eustace on Saturday when they head to Pride Park to face Championship basement club Derby County.
The Rovers squad will want to prove a point to Eustace, who quit Ewood Park last month with the club in fifth place to join a team only above the relegation zone on goal difference.
Derby’s descent to the foot of the table was completed last weekend when Eustace suffered his third straight defeat in charge in a 1-0 loss at Middlesbrough.
Meanwhile, Rovers' newly-appointed replacement Valerien Ismael had veteran striker Andreas Weimann to thank for the stoppage-time goal that salvaged a home point against Norwich last Saturday.
Team news
Derby could be boosted by the returns of right-back Kane Wilson and central defender Matt Clarke from hamstring injuries.
Wilson could replace former Blackburn defender Ryan Nyambe in the back four, with Clarke likely to come in for Craig Forsyth if he is deemed fit enough to start.
Striker Dajaune Brown (hamstring), defender Curtis Nelson (ACL) and winger Corey Blackett-Taylor (hamstring) are on the Rams’ long-term casualty list.
As for Blackburn, centre-back Hayden Carter will hope to keep his place after making his first start in four months against Norwich last weekend.
Weimann could replace Todd Cantwell in attack after grabbing a crucial goal in that game, but few other changes are expected, although Emmanuel Dennis is suspended due to red card against Norwich last week.
Danny Batth and Owen Beck (both hamstring) remain out, while Harry Pickering (knee) is not expected back after the international break and Scott Wharton is targeting a pre-season return from his ACL injury.
The stats
Since their last win against West Brom on Boxing Day, Derby have taken only two points from 12 Championship matches.
The Rams have failed to score in eight of their last 10 league matches, including each of their last four.
Only Coventry City (17) have scored more headed goals than Derby (nine) in the Championship this season.
Blackburn have won their last five matches against Derby, scoring a combined total of 15 goals and conceding just five times across those meetings.
Rovers drew three of their first six league games this season (W3), but have since drawn just four of their subsequent 29 (W12 L13).
Prediction
Eustace has probably been dreading this game ever since he chose to swap clubs because of what he considered were better long-term prospects at Derby.
The Rams look short of goal threats at the top end of the pitch and injuries have decimated their backline in recent weeks.
However, there could be some light at the end of the tunnel in defence with players due to return and they are not conceding as many goals as some of their relegation rivals.
Blackburn are not the most potent team in the division either, sitting in the bottom third of the Championship for goals scored in the last eight rounds.
The first goal will be crucial to deciding the outcome of the game, but it may also be the last one as defences look set to gain the upper hand at Pride Park.
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