Blackburn Rovers vs Sunderland Prediction: Black Cats can find success

Blackburn Rovers have been the surprise package of the Championship this term, and John Eustace is in line to win manager of the season if his side can finish in the top six. They have fought their way up to fifth position, but saw their six-game unbeaten run come to an end last time out as they lost to Millwall at the Den. 

Next up, they return to Ewood Park to host a Sunderland outfit that is also in play-off contention, so this Boxing Day fixture will have major implications on the race for the top six. These two meet at 15:00 (Sky Sports+), and below you can find my Blackburn Rovers vs Sunderland prediction. 

Team News

Blackburn saw Callum Brittain and Todd Cantwell return to their squad in the defeat to Millwall as Brittain recovered from his illness to make the bench, but was an unused substitute, while Cantwell played an hour following his suspension. Lewis Travis has been ruled out for six weeks with a hamstring issue while Harry Pickering has had a scan and will be out for two to three months.

Arnor Sigurdsson and Balazs Toth remain out whilst Hayden Carter and Scott Wharton are long-term absentees. Andreas Weimann returned earlier than expected to action and came off the bench in the capital, so he could start here. Tyrhys Dolan also recovered from his illness to play half an hour off the bench, and I’d expect both to freshen up the Rovers attack. 

Makhtar Gueye and Yuki Ohashi both started in the 1-0 defeat, and I’d expect Eustace to revert back to one up front, with Cantwell moving into the number 10 role. Dom Hyam and Danny Batth will continue their strong partnership at the back.

Meanwhile Sunderland came from one goal down to beat Norwich and Regis Le Bris will look to keep the same team together, where possible. Jobe Bellingham completed the turnaround once again and he should start with Chris Rigg and Dan Neil again in midfield. 

Eliezer Mayenda is likely to be the one to deputise on the left wing again as Sunderland remain without Romaine Mundle and Dan Watson - two young stars who have suffered injuries that will keep them out until the new year. Wilson Iisdor remains the best number nine option, while Trai Hulme could get back into the team if captain Luke O’Nien returns to centre-back. 

Blackburn Rovers vs Sunderland Odds

Blackburn are priced at 13/8 to win this game on home soil, having won seven out of 10 matches at Ewood Park to date. Sunderland are priced at 6/4 which gives them an implied win probability of 40%. A draw can be backed at 21/10. 

In terms of goals, over 2.5 goals is 11/10 having come in during 33% of Rovers matches this season and BTTS is 4/5. Wilson Isidor is the favourite to score first at 6/1. 

Sunderland to win @ 6/4

I will just lean in favour of the away side here in what I believe could be a very tight affair. Fourth and fifth in the table, there really isn’t a lot to choose between these two teams, and Blackburn have been good at home, but there’s so much to like about Sunderland this term. 

Rigg and Bellingham can carry them through matches and although I like Cantwell a lot, Blackburn don’t boast the same individual quality. The Black Cats will also be backed by a massive away following for this festive trip, and I think that could make a massive difference to their performance on the pitch. I’ll go with another important away win for Sunderland here.