Blackburn Rovers vs Wrexham: Preview and Prediction
Blackburn Rovers vs Wrexham Preview
Championship side Blackburn Rovers will host League Two side Wrexham in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup on Tuesday, January 30.
Hosts Blackburn enter this contest on the back of a rather worrying start to their season. Having finished seventh last season, they are currently 17th with just 33 points from 28 games. They have won just twice in their last 10 games, which included a four-game losing streak. However, the Rovers smashed Cambridge 5-2 in the previous round of the FA Cup and will look to replicate that performance next time.
Wrexham, on the other hand, are having a very contrasting season compared to their next opponents. They are currently second in League Two, just two points off Stockport County in top spot. The club created history last season, earning a record 111 points from 46 games to be promoted and have made good of it. They have won three of their last five games, including a narrow 1-0 win over Shrewsbury in the last round and will look to carry that forward.
On that note, let’s take a look at the team news for both sides.
Team News & Probable Lineups
Blackburn Rovers
The Rovers will be without central midfielder John Buckley, who has been out with a shoulder injury since mid-December. However, he could be back in training in the first week of March.
Defenders Hayden Carter (9) and Joe Rankin-Costello (4), and midfielder Andy Moran (4) are all at the risk of being suspended for having picked up too many yellow cards this season.
Manager John Dahl Tomasson is likely to stick with his trusted back four and ‘keeper, with a few changes to the rest of the XI.
Probable XI: Leopold Wahlstedt (GK), Callum Brittain, Hayden Carter, Dominic Hyam (C), Harry Pickering, Jake Garrett, Adam Wharton, Andrew Moran, Sammie Szmodics, Arnor Sigurdsson, Samir Telalovic.
Wrexham
Wrexham have a clean slate in terms on injuries heading into this key fixture. However, striker Ollie Palmer is at the risk of facing suspension having picked up four yellow cards already this season.
Manager Phil Parkinson is likely to stick with the same side that defeated Shrewsbury in the previous round, with veteran Steven Fletcher leading the line.
Probable XI: Arthur Okonkwo (GK), Max Cleworth, Ben Tozer (C), Thomas O’Connor, Anthony Forde, Andy Cannon, George Evans, Elliott Lee, James McClean, Paul Mullin, Steven Fletcher.
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Blackburn Rovers vs Wrexham Head-to-Head & Prediction
Last 5 Games H2H (All Comps)
- Wrexham 1-0 Blackburn (03/1982)
- Blacburn 0-0 Wrexham (10/1981)
- Blackburn 1-1 Wrexham (02/1981)
- Wrexham 0-1 Blackburn (09/1980)
- Wrexham 2-1 Blackburn (03/1979)
As you can see, the two teams last faced each other with regularity back in the early 1980s, with no recent meetings on record.
However, Blackburn Rovers are likely to comfortably win this contest considering their superior division currently, as well as the players they have at their disposal.
Prediction: Blackburn Rovers 3-1 Wrexham.
Betting Tips
- Both Teams to Score: Yes.
- Over 3.5 Goals: Yes.
- Blackburn to Win Both Halves: Yes.
Odds
- Blackburn Win: 1.65
- Draw: 4.50
- Wrexham Win: 5.00
Top Players to Watch
Blackburn Rovers
Twenty-eight-year-old Irishman Sammie Szmodics will be one to watch after his recent run of incredible form. He bagged a hat-trick in the Rovers’ 5-2 win over Cambridge in the previous round in a dominant performance.
He has also made 19 goal contributions in the Championship this season, 12 more than Andrew Moran in second place. Considering his red-hot form, Szmodics could prove to be too much for Wrexham’s defenders.
Wrexham
Goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo will be under the spotlight as Wrexham face a side with a much superior attacking line. The 22-year-old is on loan at the club from Premier League side Arsenal and has been impressive this season.
Okonkwo has made a total of 20 appearances for his club across competitions, keeping clean sheets in 10 of those games. He also has a save percentage of 77% in 17 appearances in the Championship. He will be under pressure and will be expected to perform between the sticks in a challenging game.
Blackburn Rovers vs Wrexham Timings & Telecast
- Date & Time: Tuesday, January 30th 1:00 AM (IST).
- India: SonyLIV app & website.
- UK: BBC & ITV.
- US: ESPN.
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