Blackburn Rovers FC

• Nickname:
• Founded:1875
• Manager:Steve Kean

• Ground:
• Capacity:NaN

Preview: Blackburn v Wigan

26 Jan 2010 - 12:52:51

Click To Enlarge

Blackburn Rovers face a home clash against local rivals Wigan Athletic on Wednesday evening as both sides look to further pull away from the dreaded drop zone.

Rovers occupy 12th spot in the table with the Latics sitting in 14th place and two points behind.

Sam Allardyce's men won their last league outing against Fulham at Ewood Park, but this is their only win in the last ten Premier League games while Wigan have collected maximum points from just one of their last six fixtures.

Big Sam may have to do without David Dunn (calf), Jason Roberts (knee) and Vince Grella (thigh) while Danish defender Lars Jacobsen (thigh) is expected to be missing.

Roberto Martinez is only likely to be lacking the services of Paul Scharner, who is suffering from a knee complaint.

Blackburn will want to put a halt to their leaky defensive performances that has saw them ship 21 goals in just nine first team fixtures, with six of these coming in their recent Carling Cup semi final loss at Aston Villa.

On the same note, Wigan's backline are also finding it tough. They have conceded 30 times in the last 12 matches and on paper, the midweek fixture could be a neutral fans dream.

Blackburn have lost just twice all season at home and this fine sequence is certainly keeping them out of immediate danger at the foot of the table but they must be on their toes if they are to keep out the dangerous Hugo Rodallega.

Rovers claimed the bragging rights in the Ewood Park fixture last term thanks to a 2-0 success.

Goals from Benni McCarthy, on the stroke of half-time, and Ryan Nelsen, on the hour, proved to be enough.

Allardyce will want much of the same this time around and such an outcome could see them leap into the top half of the table.