MX23RW : Wednesday, December 18 09:15:33| >> :600:214695:214695:
[monks data]
Blackburn logo
Championship | Gameweek 3
Aug 24, 2024 at 3pm UK
Ewood Park
Oxford United

Blackburn
2 - 1
Oxford Utd

Rankin-Costello (45+2'), Sigurdsson (83')
Tronstad (37'), Travis (77')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Harris (44')
Kioso (57')

Preview: Blackburn Rovers vs. Oxford United - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship clash between Blackburn Rovers and Oxford United, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Blackburn Rovers and Oxford United will be looking to continue their promising starts to the new Championship campaign when they meet at Ewood Park on Saturday afternoon.

While the home side remain unbeaten and sit in fourth position in the standings, newcomers Oxford have three points to their name and are ninth.


Match preview

John Eustace manager of Blackburn Rovers on August 2, 2024© Imago

With Sammie Szmodics having finally left for Ipswich Town, Blackburn and boss John Eustace face the difficult task of trying to replace last season's Championship top goalscorer.

There would have been question marks over how they would perform at Norwich City last weekend, yet Eustace will be satisfied with a share of the spoils at Carrow Road.

Ryan Hedges initially put Rovers ahead before Yuki Ohashi, who looks to be one of the signings of the summer, netted an equaliser with three minutes remaining.

Having conceded five goals from three games in all competitions, Eustace has issues to sort in defence, but this appears to be a Blackburn side who have the potential to challenge for promotion.

Eustace will also have money to spend during the final week of the transfer window, the expectation being that several fresh faces could come through the door.

Meanwhile, Oxford would suffer their first defeat of the season last Friday as they went down by a 3-2 scoreline at Coventry City.

Des Buckingham witnessed his team twice come from behind at the home of the Sky Blues, only to succumb to a last-gasp winner from Haji Wright.

Nevertheless, positives can still be taken from their efforts, particularly when 2-0 wins had been posted against Norwich and Peterborough United in the previous games.

Although Buckingham will be keen to ease expectations at the Kassam Stadium, there is genuine belief that they have the capabilities to earn a result against their upcoming opponents.

Blackburn Rovers Championship form:
  • W
  • D


Blackburn Rovers form (all competitions):
  • W
  • W
  • D


Oxford United Championship form:


Oxford United form (all competitions):
  • W
  • W
  • L



Team News

Oxford United manager Des Buckingham on August 10, 2024© Imago

Eustace must decide whether to hand an opportunity from the start to Ohashi, who has scored in every appearance for Blackburn thus far.

Makhtar Gueye could perhaps keep his place from the opening whistle, though, with the only selection dilemma potentially being regarding Hayden Carter who needed to be withdrawn late on against Norwich.

Buckingham may see no reason to tinker with an Oxford side that were level with Coventry before he made any substitutions.

That would leave the likes of Louie Sibley, Matt Phillips and Malcolm Ebiowei all awaiting their first league starts for the club.

Striker Mark Harris has scored in each of his two Championship appearances this season.


Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:
Pears; Brittain, Carter, Hyam, Pickering; Tronstad, Travis; Rankin-Costello, Dolan, Hedges; Gueye

Oxford United possible starting lineup:
Cumming; Long, Moore, Brown, Bennett; Vaulks; Goodrham, Rodrigues, Brannagan, Placheta; Harris


SM words green background

We say: Blackburn Rovers 2-1 Oxford United

With Blackburn still adapting to life with Szmodics, Oxford may sense an opportunity to strike. However, we are still backing the free-scoring home side to come through with an hard-earned three points.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




ID:550913:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect7938:
Written by
Darren Plant

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Blackburn vs Oxford Utd

Blackburn Rovers
Draw
Oxford United
Blackburn Rovers
69.4%
Draw
19.4%
Oxford United
11.3%
62
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Blackburn Rovers manager John Eustace
Read Next:
Blackburn: Transfer ins and outs - Summer 2024
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd21145230111945
2Leeds UnitedLeeds21126337152242
3Burnley2111822681841
4Sunderland21117332171540
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn2011452517837
6Middlesbrough21104735251034
7Watford2010462926334
8West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom2171132416832
9Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds218582630-429
10Swansea CitySwansea217682322127
11Bristol City216962626027
12Norwich CityNorwich216873632426
13Millwall206772018225
14Derby CountyDerby216692626024
15Coventry CityCoventry216692730-324
16Preston North EndPreston2141162127-623
17Stoke CityStoke215792328-522
18Queens Park RangersQPR2141072127-622
19Luton TownLuton2164112337-1422
20Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2046102133-1218
21Cardiff CityCardiff2046101932-1318
22Portsmouth193882134-1317
23Plymouth ArgylePlymouth2045111942-2317
24Hull City2137111930-1116


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!