Our prediction for this Championship match:
Blackburn Rovers
Match Time & Date:
16 September 2023
15:00
Prediction: 2-1
Middlesbrough
There will be fireworks when Blackburn Rovers and Middlesbrough square off against each other in the Championship round 6. The start of the season has been a mixed bag for Blackburn, who sit in 13th place in the standings, but a win over Middlesbrough will see them move closer to the playoffs berth. Dominic Hyam is expected to drop to the bench following his below-par performance in a 3-0 loss to Plymouth, with Scott Wharton likely to step up. Both Niall Ennis and Arnor Sigurdsson are sidelined with injuries, while there are no suspended players in the home team.
The Boro, on the other hand, made a slow start to the season, with the team collecting only one point in total to date. Considering that Blackburn have turned their Ewood Park into a real fortress, we predict that the visitors are going to return home with their hands empty. As for the away team, Anfernee Dijksteel is sidelined with injury, while fellow defender Darragh Lenihan is a major doubt.
Highlighted Player (Paddy McNair):
Following in the footsteps of his compatriot Jonny Evans, Paddy McNair joined the Manchester United academy in 2011 and he was surprisingly handed first team debut by Louis van Gaal at the start of the 2014/2015 season.
Despite his fragile age, the talented central defender has been putting in some very mature performances ever since, and everything suggests he could go on to become an important player at Old Trafford in years to come. After representing a number of youth sides, McNair made his first appearance for the Northern Ireland senior national team in a March 2015 friendly vs Scotland, before making another three outings as his side secured their place at the Euro 2016 finals.
Northern Ireland coach Michael O’Neill surprisingly played McNair in holding midfield in the March 2016 friendly vs Wales. After the youngster impressed in the middle of the park, O’Neill went on to suggest that the Manchester United starlet may be used in midfield rather than defence in years to come in the national team.
Highlighted Team (Blackburn Rovers):
Blackburn Rovers have been trying to return to the Premier League ever since they dropped to the Championship in 2012. The Riversiders compete in the English second tier and they play their home games at Ewood Park. Blackburn were founded back in 1875 and they are one of the founding members of the Football League (1888).
Burnley are considered Blackburn’s main rivals and the two teams square off against each other in the East Lancashire derby. It has to be noted that Blackburn Burnley 7-1 in their first ever meeting in the East Lancashire Derby on 3 November, 1888. The Riversiders have won three First Division (Premier League) trophies (1911/1912, 1913/1914, 1994/1995).
Blackburn Rovers have clinched six FA Cup titles as well. Speaking of the club’s European success, the Riversiders won the UEFA Intertoto Cup in 2007. The colour of Blackburn’s home kit is blue and white.
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