It has been an unforgettable week for everyone associated with Fleetwood Town as they bowed out of the Emirates FA Cup proudly, after a 2-0 defeat at Leicester City, but attentions now turn back to league action as Blackburn Rovers visit Highbury this Saturday.
Rovers have been the form team in Sky Bet League One in recent months, having not lost in the league since the 14th October. Last time out, they beat fellow promotion candidates Shrewsbury Town 3-1 at Ewood Park as they stake their claim for a spot in the Championship next season.
Uwe Rosler said…
"Tomorrow there is more pressure than the Leicester game, because it's a league game. It's a key game for us, and I look forward to seeing how the whole squad functions.
"It will be a big ask for us. They have had a free week and we have already played 38-39 games this season.
“They have the advantage, but that doesn't mean they will win the game. I'm looking forward to the game.”
Tony Mowbray said…
“It’s another huge challenge – it’s always tough going there.
“We saw their performance against Leicester in the cup; we have to acclimatise and make sure we match their drive to come out on top.
"We've created competition with a few new faces in the building and whilst it's Saturday to Saturday, there's no excuses of fatigue or tiredness.
"They are ready to go and we are looking forward to the challenge."
The Form Guide
Fleetwood’s spirited defeat at the King Power on Tuesday was their first in four games in all competitions, and form has improved since the Boxing Day at Oldham Athletic.
Blackburn have lost just twice since October, to Hull City in the FA Cup and Bury in the Checkatrade Trophy, and are unbeaten in 15 league games.
Fleetwood Last Five: LDWWL
Rovers Last Five: WDDLW
We’ve Met Before
The first ever league meeting between Fleetwood and Blackburn took place on Halloween last year, as Town came from behind twice to hold the former Premier League Champions to a 2-2 draw at Ewood Park.
After Bradley Dack had opened the scoring, Burnley loanee Aiden O’Neill equalised for the Cod Army, but Joe Nuttall soon had Rovers back in front. A late leveler from Wes Burns sealed a famous point for Rosler’s men.
One To Watch
The top scorer for Tony Mowbray’s side is former Celtic and current Scotland international defender Charlie Mulgrew. Able to play in several positions, Mulgrew has 11 goals for Rovers this season, adding to his tally of three from last season at Ewood Park.
Originally a product of Celtic’s youth system, the Glasgow native had spells with Wolves, Dundee United, Southend United and Wolves before re-signing for the Bhoys in 2010, where he made over a century of appearances in his six-year spell including in the UEFA Champions League. Rovers snapped him up in the summer of 2016 where he has since become one of the fan favourites amongst the Blackburn faithful.
Fancy a Flutter?
League partner Sky Bet have released their odds for Saturday’s game, and make Blackburn slight favourites at 21/20.
A Fleetwood Town win is priced at 14/5, while a draw comes in a 9/4.
The last meeting between the sides finished 2-2 and a repeat of that can be selected at 18/1, while a 2-1 win for Fleetwood is available at 12/1. The same score the other way is 8/1.