Blackburn Rovers vs. Fulham Preview

Premier League basement boys Blackburn Rovers host Fulham on January 15 at Ewood Park with points a must if they are to start making their bid for top flight survival.

The 1994/1995 Premier League winners have endured a torrid time for the majority of the current campaign and sit rock bottom of the division heading into this round of fixtures with a mere 14 points to their name after 20 games.

Inexperienced Rovers boss Steve Kean has been hanging onto his job by a thread for the last few weeks after facing a wrath from home supporters who are incensed at the team’s flaccid displays and poor results.

It was, however, a perfect end to a bad year for Kean and Rovers when they miraculously managed to claim a 2-3 victory at Old Trafford – which if anything restored a great deal of relief at the club both in the dressing room and on the terraces.

Nevertheless, Rovers campaign was summed up in their subsequent match against Stoke City when instead of carrying that momentum forward, they slumped to another home defeat thanks to a lifeless performance devoid of any real passion or quality.

Fulham have not exactly had the best of times this season after exiting the Europa League in desperate circumstances but manager Martin Jol will be licking his lips at this fixture which potentially looks an easy three points for the away side, who will be confident going into the game after a decent Christmas which included a 2-1 home success against Arsenal.

Fulham’s away form is nonetheless a major worry as they have only managed one win on their travels so far this season scoring just six goals in the process.

But aside from their own victory against Arsenal at Ewood Park earlier in the campaign, Blackburn Rovers look easy pickings at home and the league table does not tell a lie.

Kean’s men have lost eight out of their ten matches at home, shipping 21 goals in the process and this match should allow Fulham a chance to improve their form figures on the road.

Blackburn’s confidence at home is clearly shattered after the results which have so far occurred and it will certainly take a lot from Steve Kean to influence a reversal in fortunes.

Fulham hardly possess the most potent front line in the Premier League however players such as Clint Dempsey and Bobby Zamora should thrive in this match and can put yet another three points beyond the reach of Rovers.

Blackburn may also be without the services of star centre back Christopher Samba who has once again been linked with a plethora of other Premiership clubs who are chasing his fixture.

Backing the Cottagers away from home is not advice that will be handed out too often this season but on this occasion, the 13/8 looks too good to pass up as any other outcome seems highly unlikely.

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08/01/2012     © Frixo 2024