Our prediction for this Championship match:
Madejski Stadium will host Saturday’s football game between Reading and Blackburn Rovers, the two teams with completely different ambitions in the season finale. The Royals are only two points clear of the relegation zone, with the team collecting only one point in total from the previous four league fixtures. The likes of Karl Hein, Abdul-Rahman Baba, Femi Azeez, Dejan Tetek, and Felipe Araruna should miss out with injuries.
The Riversiders, on the other hand, aim to build on a 3-1 win over Derby County. Blackburn Rovers are still without top scorer Ben Brereton, but seeing that the Chile attacker was not sorely missed in the midweek triumph, we are tempted to put our money on the playoffs-chasing visitors. Ryan Nyambe, Tayo Edun, and Ian Poveda miss the game with injuries as well. In the first half of the season Blackburn defeated Reading 2-0.
Highlighted Player (Junior Hoilett):
Junior Hoilett began his youth career at Blackburn Rovers and he spent five years at Ewood Park. After ending his loan spells with German sides Paderborn and St. Pauli Junior Hoilett returned to Blackburn Rovers and it has to be noted that he scored his first goal for the Riversiders in a pre-season friendly against Leigh Genesis.
Speaking of competitive games, the Canada international netted his first goal for Blackburn in a 3-1 League Cup victory over Gillingham. In 2012 the pacey winger joined Queens Park Rangers and he played for the capital club from 2012 to 2016. In October 2016 Junior Hoilett signed a deal with Cardiff City and he made his debut for the Championship side on October 14 against Bristol City.
Hoilett was born in Brampton, Ontario and, as a result, he represents Canada on the international stage. He made his Canada debut in a 1-1 draw with Ghana in an international friendly.
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.