Blackburn Rovers play host to Bristol City on Saturday afternoon looking to extend their unbeaten run in the Championship to five matches.
At a time when the home side sit in fifth position in the standings, the visitors to Ewood Park are in 14th spot after seeing their own undefeated streak come to an end before the international break.
Match preview
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Given the improvements that he had brought Birmingham City before his surprise sacking, Blackburn fans have been anticipating the time when John Eustace has the same effect on their side.
On the back of ending 2023-24 with seven points from a possible 12, Rovers have now delivered eight points from the same amount of fixtures to kick off this campaign.
Despite failing to keep a clean sheet in any of those encounters, the focus should be on nine goals being scored at the other end when last season's Championship top goalscorer Sammie Szmodics has left for Ipswich Town.
Their most impressive result was arguably the point they earned at rivals Burnley before the international break, seeing out the final 33 minutes plus stoppage time with 10 men.
With decisive late goals also coming in their opening three fixtures, this has the feel of a fit, robust side that could outlast teams this campaign.
As for Bristol City, five points from their first quartet of matches is an acceptable return, particularly having earned draws with the likes of Hull City and Coventry City.
Nevertheless, losing 3-0 at Derby County before the international break has set Liam Manning's side back a notch, still searching for their first clean sheet.
Nine goals have been conceded in five matches in all competitions at a time when four of their six strikes at the other end came in the same match.
A win at Ewood Park would catapult the Robins into the top half of the table, yet another defeat will leave them playing catch up if they want to launch a promotion bid.
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Team News
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As a result of Makhtar Gueye serving a one-match ban, Yuki Ohashi is in line to start down the middle of the Blackburn attack.
Todd Cantwell and Amario Cozier-Duberry are in contention after their deadline-day moves, but it is more likely that they will start the game on the substitutes' bench.
Barring any new fitness issues, the rest of the starting lineup could stay the same from the hard-earned point at Turf Moor.
In sharp contrast, it would come as a surprise if Manning did not shuffle his Bristol City pack for this contest.
Luke McNally could be drafted into the middle of the defence, with Fally Mayulu in line for his first Championship start in attack.
Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:
Pears; Brittain, Carter, Hyam, Beck; Travis, Tronstad; Weimann, Dolan, Hedges; Ohashi
Bristol City possible starting lineup:
O'Leary; Tanner, Vyner, McNally, Pring; Williams, Knight; Sykes, Bird, Twine; Mayulu
We say: Blackburn Rovers 2-1 Bristol City
With Bristol City extra motivated to bounce back from their heavy defeat to Derby, we expect them to run Blackburn close on Saturday. However, the home side have only impressed this campaign and that could continue at the weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
