Match Preview - Blackburn (a)

[Jourdan]

Paul Jewell’s Rams travel north to Ewood Park tomorrow, still searching for their first away win of the season.

The Rams need 5 points from the remaining 2 games to avoid becoming the worst team in Premier League history.

With only 6 points available, County require two wins to exceed the 15 points amassed by Sunderland in 2005/06.

Last Time at Ewood Park

Blackburn 0-1 Derby (2001/02)

Recent History

In 1994/95, a Shearer-inspired Blackburn were crowned Premier League champions and in the following season they were playing Champions League football. Fast forward a few years and relegation to Division One in 1998/99 seemed as if it would undo all the work done by Jack Walker to transform Rovers into a Premier League force. Rovers had swapped European nights in Moscow and Warsaw for trips to the Valley and Portman Road as they couldn’t force a return to the top flight until the 2000/01 season, in which they finished runners-up.

In their return season in the top flight, they claimed League Cup glory, beating Tottenham 2-1 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. After mixed fortunes under Graeme Souness, Rovers have stabilised under ex-Wales boss Mark Hughes, not finishing outside the top 10 in his two full seasons at the club.

Summer Signings

Rovers boss Mark Hughes only made three additions to his squad in summer 2007 to build on last season’s tenth placed finish. The Welshman swooped for Roque Santa Cruz to add to an attack already jam-packed with South African international Benni McCarthy, former Wigan star Jason Roberts and England under-21 regular Matt Derbyshire. With one eye on the future, he also beat off competition to sign Maceo Rigters from NAC Breda, who lit up last year’s under-21 European Championships with 4 goals in 5 appearances. Meanwhile, Hughes also bolstered his goalkeeping options by signing hot prospect Gunnar Nielsen.

Form

Since battling to a 2-1 triumph at Pride Park in late December, Rovers have won 6 and drawn 7 of their 16 Premier League fixtures, collecting 25 points. They have won three (Sunderland, Wigan & Bolton) of their last 8 at Ewood Park and a further three in their last 8 on the road (Bolton, Newcastle & Portsmouth). Strong finishes to the campaign are built upon good form either at home or away, but Rovers have excelled in neither, pretty much dashing their hopes of a UEFA Cup place, with the Intertoto Cup their only viable route into the competition. Their failure to hold onto leads against Fulham, Tottenham, Manchester United and Aston Villa will make Rovers’ fans think “if only”, as those extra 8 points would in fact see them sitting in 5th place, one point ahead of another North West outfit, Everton. They were also dumped out of the FA Cup by Championship strugglers Coventry, after a 4-1 trouncing at Ewood Park.

Predicted Line-ups

Blackburn – Friedel, Emerton, Samba, Nelsen, Warnock, Bentley, Reid, Vogel, Gamst Pedersen, Roberts, Santa Cruz

Derby – Carroll, Mears, Moore, Todd, McEveley, Sterjovski, Savage, Ghaly, Lewis, Villa, Earnshaw

Ones to Watch

Brad Friedel – The 36 year old has established himself as one of the most reliable goalkeepers in the English top-flight. The US international has started every Premier League game for Rovers this season.

Roque Santa Cruz – The Paraguayan international has pummelled opposing defences in his debut season in English football, scoring 17 goals in 34 Premier League starts. The former Bayern Munich striker has also netted 3 goals to lead Rovers to the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup and scored a solitary goal in his three appearances for the Lancashire-based club in the UEFA Cup.

Key Battles

McEveley vs. Bentley – On his return to his former club, left-back Jay McEveley will be up against the slick and skilful David Bentley.

Moore vs. Santa Cruz – Darren Moore will be looking to validate the decision to name him as the club’s Player of the Year by frustrating danger-man Roque Santa Cruz.

Odds (courtesy of Ladbrokes.com on 02/05/2008)

Blackburn to win – 2/9
Draw – 4/1
Derby to win – 9/1

Virtual Betting

No bets had been placed at the time of writing.

Jourdan predicts...3-1

[GresleyRam]

i'm guessing a 3-1 defeat!