Southampton vs Blackburn Preview: Team News & prediction
Southampton will look to tighten their grip on a play-off spot when they host an injury-ravaged Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday night.
Russell Martin’s Saints are the division’s form team, having strung together five consecutive victories—including a clinical 5-1 dismantling of Wrexham and a hard-fought 2-1 win over Derby County. Sitting comfortably in fifth, the hosts are aiming to avenge a 2-1 defeat in the reverse fixture at Ewood Park back in October.
In stark contrast, Blackburn Rovers arrive on the south coast “surviving on fumes,” according to manager Michael O’Neill. While Rovers are unbeaten in their last five matches, their recent resilience—characterized by goalless draws against Middlesbrough and West Brom—is being tested by a staggering injury list that has left them with just 13 fit senior players.
Team News
Southampton remain without veteran goalkeeper Alex McCarthy (wrist) and defender Mads Roerslev (knee). Midfielder Flynn Downes and Léo Scienza have also been managing muscle concerns, though the Saints’ deep squad has allowed Martin to rotate effectively during the congested Easter period.
Blackburn Rovers are facing a full-blown selection crisis with up to 13 players unavailable.
- Scott Wharton (hamstring) has been ruled out after failing to recover from the weekend.
- Sidnei Tavares is a major doubt after pulling up in training on Monday.
- The lengthy absentee list also includes Augustus Kargbo, Andri Gudjohnsen, Hayden Carter, Axel Henriksson, and Sondre Trondstad.
- Ryan Hedges and Matty Litherland remain long-term concerns.
Match Facts
Head-to-Head
- Blackburn won the earlier meeting this season 2-1, but they haven’t completed a league double over Southampton since the 1993-94 Premier League campaign.
- Southampton have lost only one of their last eight home league games against Rovers (W5 D2).
southampton
- The Saints average 57% possession this season, the second-highest in the Championship.
- Adam Armstrong and Finn Azaz are the club’s joint-top scorers with 11 goals each.
- They have scored 14 headed goals this season, more than any other side in the top six.
Blackburn Rovers
- Rovers have kept three clean sheets in their last five games despite their defensive injury woes.
- Ryoya Morishita has been the creative spark for the visitors, providing eight assists from wide areas this term.
Prediction
It’s hard to see past a home win here. Southampton are purring, and while Michael O’Neill has done a heroic job to keep Blackburn competitive with half a squad, the sheer volume of games—three in six days—will surely catch up with them.Blackburn will be organized and look to frustrate, but the Saints’ ability to hurt teams from wide areas through Léo Scienza (if fit) and the clinical finishing of Adam Armstrong should be the difference.
Prediction: Southampton 2-0 Blackburn Rovers
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