English Premier
2012-04-14 - Swansea vs Blackburn Rovers
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Saturday 14 April 2012 - Kick Off 3pm
Swansea
Have Swansea started looking ahead to the end of the season already? They have lost a few games in a row and their passing football has begun to look a little ineffective of late as teams seem content in giving them all the possession but punishing any kind of defensive mistakes they make.
The team moved down to 14th in the Premier League after losing both games over the Easter period, but they still look in a position of safety despite not reaching the 40 point mark just yet. They have a 6-6-4 record at the Liberty Stadium this season, scoring 19 goals and conceding 14, which makes them one of the lowest scoring home teams in the League.
Swansea have lost 4 League games in a row coming into this one, and they have begun conceding goals with at least 2 conceded in each of those games including in a 3-0 loss to QPR. They have now lost back to back League games at the Liberty Stadium and 3 of the last 4 here with the only exception being a home win over Manchester City.
There are no new injury worries for Brendan Rodgers following the trip to Loftus Road during the week.
Blackburn Rovers
Steve Kean's misery on Tuesday night as his side lost to ten men Liverpool at home was compounded on Wednesday as two of their rivals in the battle for relegation picked up vital three points to aid their chances. That means this game in Wales has taken on added importance for Kean and his men.
Blackburn Rovers are 19th in the Premier League but now find themselves 3 points from the safety zone, although they still have a better goal difference than Wigan Athletic. They have a 2-6-8 record away from Ewood Park this season, scoring 21 goals and conceding 38, giving them the worst away defensive record in the League so far.
The 2-3 home loss to Liverpool during the week would have really hurt Steve Kean, especially considering they had fought back from 0-2 down and were playing against ten men. However, that result would have knocked the confidence of the Rovers players as they have now lost 4 in a row in the League since a 2-0 win over Sunderland at home. Blackburn have won just 1 of their last 7 away games in the Premier League since a win at Old Trafford and they have lost 4 of their last 5 away games.
Anthony Modeste remains suspended, but there should be no new injury worries from the game against Liverpool.
Head to Head
Blackburn Rovers beat Swansea 4-2 at Ewood Park earlier this season.
This is their first visit to the Liberty Stadium, while they haven't played in Swansea since the 1983/84 season.
Prediction
The first thing I am going to say is that Swansea look very very short considering their recent struggles in the Premier League, but then again you can't really trust Blackburn Rovers as they have lost 4 in a row in the League since it looked like back to back wins was going to keep them in the Premier League.
I have seen Swansea a few times in recent weeks and they have looked good on the ball, although they have been ineffective when it comes down to the final third. They have also begun to struggle defensively and this is the angle I will look to exploit in this game.
Blackburn have been decent going forward throughout the season, although not so well in recent weeks on their travels. However, as I said, Swansea have struggled defensively recently.
In fact, they have conceded at least 2 goals in each of their last 4 Premier League overall, and they have also conceded at least 2 goals in 4 of their last 6 home games and Blackburn look a little overpriced at 3.20 to become the latest team to achieve that here.
With the likes of Yakubu and David Hoilett in the starting line up, it is a possibility that Blackburn can do that and I think the 3.20 is a bit of an insult to their ability to do so. Steve Kean will also be pushing his side to get the goals in this game as he will see it as a big chance to grab three points in their fight for survival and it looks worth having a small interest in this angle.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Swansea 2-2 Blackburn Rovers
