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

Blackburn Rovers play host to Cambridge United in the FA Cup third round looking to end their recent dismal run of form.

At a time when Rovers are in 17th position in the Championship, the visitors occupy 18th place in the League One table.

Match preview

Jon Dahl Tomasson has enjoyed a relatively productive spell as Blackburn boss, almost guiding the club to the Championship playoffs last season and initially challenging this time around.

However, the Dane may be one more defeat away from losing his role at Ewood Park, a consequence of just four points being accumulated from eight Championship fixtures.

On the back of four straight defeats, Blackburn managed to twice let slip a lead against bottom-placed Rotherham United on New Year's Day, heaping further pressure on Tomasson.

Progress in the FA Cup will come secondary to moving up the Championship table, yet a home defeat to a team playing in the division below could be the final straw for the Blackburn hierarchy.

This fixture is taking place exactly 31 years to the day since their last tussle when Blackburn won a League Cup tie by a 3-2 scoreline.

Cambridge have also never won a match at Ewood Park, but recently-appointed head coach Neil Harris will relish the challenge of making history on Saturday.

Harris initially posted seven points from his first three matches in League One before back-to-back losses were recorded against Oxford United and Leyton Orient respectively.

Nevertheless, Cambridge now sit four points clear of the drop zone ahead of turning their attention to trying to extend their run in this competition.

Back-to-back home triumphs have come against non-league Bracknell Town and fellow League One outfit Fleetwood Town, the latter coming by a 4-0 scoreline with three strikes being netted in the opening 13 minutes.

Blackburn Rovers form (all competitions):

• W
• L
• L
• L
• L
• D

Cambridge United FA Cup form:

• W
• W

Cambridge United form (all competitions):

• W
• D
• W
• W
• L
• L

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Team News

Although Tomasson tends to rotate his team for cup matches, fewer changes may occur here given that his job may be at stake.

Niall Ennis is in line to replace Samir Telalovic in the Blackburn attack, while Lewis Travis and Jake Garrett could return in central midfield.

None of Blackburn's long-term injury absentees are expected to return in time for this game.

Meanwhile, Ryan Bennett could be recalled to the Cambridge backline for this contest, taking the place of Jubril Okedina.

Sullay Kaikai may also feature in the final third, but Harris could opt against making excessive alterations.

Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:
Wahlstedt; Brittain, Hill, Carter, Pickering; Travis, Garrett; Moran, Szmodics, Sigurdsson; Ennis

Cambridge United possible starting lineup:
Stevens; L. Bennett, R. Bennett, Morrison, Andrew; Digby, Cousins; Lankester, Thomas, Kaikai; Janneh

We say: Blackburn Rovers 3-1 Cambridge United

Given Blackburn's most recent form, Cambridge will fancy their chances of causing an upset at Ewood Park. However, despite their frailties, Blackburn have plenty of quality in attack, leading us to predict a home victory with something to spare.

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

Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a home win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home Win:data

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