English Premier
2011-12-17 - Blackburn Rovers vs West Brom
A Sports Betting Pick by Lamps
Football : England : Premiership
Saturday 17th December - Kickoff 3:00pm
Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers suffered a heart breaking final 6 minutes at the Stadium of Light, where Kean's side lead until the 84th minute only to concede 2 late goals and lose 2-1. That result sums up Rovers' season and once again they return to Ewood Park needing a big result, this week's opponents will be West Brom.
The defeat at Sunderland in addition to Wigan's win at West Brom has seen Rovers drop down a place into 19th with 10pts. The side is low on confidence right now and just can't kick start their season. Having lost 9 of their 15 games this season as well as 5 of their 7 home games this term it's clear that Rovers on going battle with relegation looks set to go down to the wire.
Only rock bottom Bolton has a worse last 8 overall record than Blackburn Rovers. The side is 1-3-4 over that period with the sole win against Swansea (4-2) in their last home game. Whilst that result was a very good one, the Swans have a horrific record on the road and I'm not overly impressed with this win.
The only other home win was against Arsenal (4-3) back in September. So in the 2 home wins this season, Rovers have needed to score 4 times! That just shows how poor the defence is given the huge pressure put going forward to win games.
The defence is giving up over 2.25 goals a game overall and around 2.15 at home. Rovers have zero clean sheets all season and virtually anyone and everyone in this league will score against them, even at the weekend when they looked solid they threw it away.
Blackburn Rovers Team News :
Team news is that Givet, Hoilett, Lowe, Olsson, Rochina Salgado and Nelsen are all rated as doubtful leaving Kean with a huge defensive headache against West Brom.
With so many players rated as doubts Rovers are left with just Dann and Samba fit at the back and may end up playing Pedersen and another midfielder out of position at full back. When we consider the zero clean sheets from Rovers all season this is a massive blow and it really plays into West Brom's hands.
Going forward Yakubu is the main man after scoring 4 against Swansea. He may find himself isolated given Hoilett and Rochina are doubts but Rovers do average nearly a goal and a half at home and should create a few good chances on Saturday.
West Brom
The Baggies suffered a poor defeat at home to Wigan at the weekend and as a result dropped 2 places into 15th. With just 15 points from a possible 45, Albion are only 3 points clear of the drop zone and another loss this weekend could see them right back in the relegation mix.
Before the Wigan defeat at the weekend Hodgson's side had taken points in 2 of their previous 3 games and going further back 4 in their last 7. However, when given a great chance to beat the league's worst side they blew it. They now face another hungry side in Rovers who despite the poor form will be a force at home and we know they can score goals.
The Baggies have struggled in front of goal, 14 goals in 15 overall is pretty goal. The away split is a little better 7 goals in 7 games, they have been shut out on the road just twice and have scored 2 goals in 2 of their games. As a result I think given Rovers are conceding at least 1 goal a game at home plus the injury concern they should find the back of the net in this one.
Away from the Hawthorns, West Brom has 2 wins and currently ranks 11th in the away form table. The wins came at Norwich (0-1) and Villa (1-2) whilst Hodgson's side has also picked up a point at Sunderland (2-2) and QPR (1-1).
WBA are the sort of side they can produce solid displays on the road and will like Blackburn coming at them. With Dorrans, Brunt, Thomas and Morrison in the side, the Baggies will be very quick on the counter and may prefer this style of plat rather than forcing the issue as they are expected to when at home.
West Brom Team News :
The Baggies will be without Fortuné, Gera, Jara and Thorne but it's likely to be the same lineup as last weekend that will face Blackburn.
I expect Hodgson to start with both Long and Odemwingie in a 4-4-2 with Brunt and Thomas supplying the width out wide. The wingers will be against banged up full backs or most likely out of position players and if WBA are going to compete they must dominate these match ups and I think they will.
The Betting Verdict
In the last 7 games at Ewood Park, Rovers have yet to lose to WBA winning 4 and drawing 3. Interestingly the last 6 have finished Unders and whilst this may hit again I fancy both to find the net in this one.
Rovers have an awful defensive record with their full strength side out so having 4/5 defenders rated doubtful only enhances my confidence in a West Brom goal.
At the other end, Rovers are scoring a lot of goals at home including 9 in their last 5 games at nearly 2 a game. The Baggies have been able to get results on the road but with 1 clean sheet in their last 10 on their travels I fancy Rovers to get one themselves.
As for the fixed market, I actually think 2.40 for Rovers is fair but with soo many players a doubt I've been put off and prefer both to score in what should break the recent unders trend in this fixture.
Good Luck
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Blackburn 2-1 West Brom
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take Both Teams to Score at 1.733 at Ladbrokes
