Eng. Championship

2022-11-13 - Burnley vs Blackburn Rovers

A Sports Betting Pick by Auls

Burnley v Blackburn Rovers
Football: English Championship
Sunday 13th November 2022 - Kick Off 12:30pm
This game is live on TV

Burnley

Vincent Kompany will have been happy with the focus shown by his team in the League Cup Third Round against a lower League opponent, especially days after what had been a really poor second half at Bramall Lane. His League leaders were thumped at Sheffield United last Saturday, but Burnley fans have to be pleased with the current League position of the club.

Leading the Championship after less than half of the League games have been played doesn't really mean a lot, but there are big expectations at Burnley this season and Vincent Kompany has to show he has them on the right path. Any positive result on Sunday will mean Burnley go into the World Cup break leading the way in the second tier too, while the side have a 6-4-0 record at Turf Moor to protect.

Burnley have been on a decent roll and that is underlined by the fact they have won 7 of their last 9 games in all competitions. They had won 4 in a row in the Championship before the defeat at Sheffield United last weekend, but return home for the final game before the World Cup. Burnley have won 5 in a row at Turf Moor in all competitions.

Blackburn Rovers

For the first time since early April, Blackburn Rovers fans would have experienced the final whistle of a fixture with the scores level. However, this occurred in the League Cup Third Round at West Ham United on Wednesday and Blackburn Rovers won the subsequent Penalty Shoot Out to progress, which adds to what has been a solid 'first half' of the League season.

Jon Dahl Tomasson may have been a surprise choice as the Blackburn Rovers manager after the 2021/22 season had concluded, but he has guided the club up into 2nd place in the Championship table. A win on Sunday at local rivals Burnley will see Blackburn Rovers go into the World Cup break top of the pile, but they do have an underwhelming 4-0-6 record away from home in the Division.

Blackburn Rovers beat Premier League West Ham United on Penalties in the League Cup during the week and they have won 5 of their last 6 League games too. The side looked to be building momentum away from home after wins over Middlesbrough and Hull City, but Blackburn Rovers were beaten 1-0 at Coventry City in their last away League game. That result also means Blackburn Rovers have lost 4 of their last 6 on their travels in the Championship.

Head to Head

These rivals last met in the 2017/18 season the League Cup when Burnley won at Ewood Park.

The last time they met at Turf Moor was in March 2016 in the Championship and it was Burnley who won 1-0 that day.

Burnley had not won any of 6 home games against Blackburn Rovers going back to December 1978 before beating them in the 2015/16 season.

Prediction

A North West derby game with the top of the Championship on the line has been selected for live television coverage as Burnley and Blackburn Rovers look for one more big effort before the four week World Cup break.

Both have progressed in the League Cup during the week and have positive momentum from recent Championship performances.

However, home form could be crucial considering how erratic Blackburn Rovers have been on their travels.

Burnley have been scoring plenty of goals here and I think they can be backed to conclude this 'half' of the season on top of the pile thanks to a vital victory over a rival.