BLACKBURN ROVERS V SWANSEA CITY: BIG-MATCH BREAKDOWN
What time is kick-off?
THE game gets underway at 3pm today.
Is it on TV?
THE match will not be shown live on television. You can watch the highlights on EFL Quest at 9pm tonight.
Alternatively, you can follow live updates on our blog which will be on our Swansea City page from 12pm.
What is the latest team news?
DARRAGH Lenihan is suspended for the hosts after collecting his 10th yellow card of the season in his side’s 0-0 draw with Stoke City.
Rovers also have concerns over Joe Rothwell and Sam Gallagher who returned from injury in that stalemate with the Potters. Lewis Holtby and Bradley Dack remain absent. The visitors will once again be without
Wayne Routledge (knee), Mike van der Hoorn (knee) and George Byers (ankle) for the clash with Tony Mowbray’s side.
However, Swansea are hopeful that Bersant Celina can return to action after missing the 1-0 loss to Fulham due to illness.
What has Steve Cooper said?
“IT’LL be a tough game. We had a difficult game at home, it was a midweek game earlier on in the season,” said the head coach.
“We were disappointed not to win that. Again, penalty decisions not going our way in that one.
“I just think from the Fulham game and how we were dealt with, we’ve got to use our anger and frustrations to make a strong and positive impact in the game so we can take the best version of us there. We need to stay strong and together, and continue to plan and play as we want the team to.
“If we can show the fight, desire and pride that we did against Fulham then we’ll give ourselves a chance.”
Betting odds
(ODDS courtesy of The Pools, correct at time of publishing. 18+ only) Blackburn win 5/4, Draw 12/5, Swansea City win 9/4
Who is the referee?
PETER Bankes will take charge of proceedings at Ewood Park.
The Lancashire official was the man in the middle for both of Swansea’s victories against Charlton this season, while he also refereed the 2-1 win at Wigan in November.
He will be assisted by Peter Kirkup and Edward Smart.
Match facts
■ Blackburn have won 14 of their 18 home league games against Swansea (D3 L1).
■ Swansea are unbeaten in their last four league games against Blackburn (W2 D2), drawing earlier this season at Liberty Stadium.
■ Blackburn haven’t lost on leap year day since 1896, when they were beaten 2-1 by Birmingham City, and are unbeaten in five games on February 29th since (W2 D3).
■ Swansea City have won just one of their last 11 away games in all competitions (W1 D5 L5) and are winless in seven on the road (D3 L4).
■ Only Derby and Leeds (13) have conceded fewer home Championship goals than Blackburn Rovers this season (14).
■ Two of the last three Championship goals Swansea have conceded have come in the 90th minute, with the Swans dropping three points in the process.