• Blackburn Rovers start the weekend in the relegation zone, sitting 22nd on six points after seven games

• Stoke City are flying high in third, picking up 14 points from their opening eight matches

• Recommended bet: Stoke draw no bet

A bad seven days for Blackburn began with the news that their abandoned match with Ipswich, in which they were leading 1-0 against 10 men with just 10 minutes remaining, would be replayed in full. 

Things went from bad to worse as they were then routed 3-0 at Charlton before suffering a fourth straight home defeat when losing 2-1 to Swansea on Tuesday. 

Rovers put in a better performance against the Swans but their form remains woeful and it is hard to see Saturday’s visit from third-placed Stoke yielding a first home win of the campaign.

The latest Blackburn vs Stoke odds are available on LiveScore Bet.

Team news

There are no fresh injury concerns for Blackburn but long-term absentees Hayden Carter, Moussa Baradji and Jake Garrett remain sidelined.

Sam Gallagher is Stoke’s sole confirmed absentee. Lewis Baker has missed the Potters’ last two matches but there is hope the dynamic midfielder could make his return at Ewood Park.

The latest Blackburn vs Stoke odds are available on LiveScore Bet.

The stats

Blackburn have lost all four of their home matches this season.

Stoke have won four and lost just two of their first eight Championship games.

Rovers have lost six of their eight games this term.

The Potters have lost only one of their four away matches.

Stoke did the double over Blackburn last season, keeping a clean sheet in both clashes.

The Potters’ last five matches have gone under 2.5 goals.

The latest Blackburn vs Stoke odds are available on LiveScore Bet.

Prediction

Blackburn will take encouragement from their performance against Swansea as they won the shot count 14-7 and had more possession than their visitors. However, despite the improvement, the result remained the same and another home defeat could be on the horizon. 

Stoke put in their own impressive performance on Tuesday, dominating Championship leaders Middlesbrough. They only left the Riverside with a point but the Potters won the xG battle 1.61-0.64 in that 0-0 draw and that should give them enough momentum to prevail at Ewood Park. 

The more pessimistic Stoke fans will be quick to point out that Mark Robins’ side have gone three games without a win. However, QPR, Norwich and Boro are sides who could well be battling for a play-off spot come spring - Blackburn are likely to be miles off the top six. 

Robins has a balanced squad at his disposal, with experienced heads like Aaron Cresswell and Sorba Thomas bringing out the best in many youngsters, including Million Manhoef and Bosun Lawal. 

The Potters are a much stronger side than Rovers and have more than enough quality to take all three points. They have drawn their last two games, though, so get your stakes back if things finish level by backing them draw no bet. 

Back Stoke draw no bet at 21/20 with LiveScore Bet.

The latest Blackburn vs Stoke odds are available on LiveScore Bet.