Fireworks are likely to fly at Ewood Park tomorrow lunch time as Blackburn face off against Burnley in the East Lancashire derby.
After not playing each other last season due to Burnley’s promotion to the Premier League, both sets of fans will undoubtedly be eagerly anticipating the encounter.
History
The two teams first played each other in 1888 at Turf Moore with Blackburn coming away with a 7-1 victory.
The derby must go down as one of the closest fought rivalries in English football with each side recording 45 wins out of 110 matches.
Indeed, there has been very little to choose between the teams in recent encounters, with four of the last five East Lancashire derbies ending in 1-1 draws!
Current Form
Gary Bowyer‘s side have not had the start to the season that many fans were expecting and currently sit in 17th place in the table.
Rovers have shown a marked improvement in recent weeks however and have only succumbed to one defeat in their last six league games.
Bowyer’s side have also been hard to beat at Ewood Park this campaign and have not lost at home since the opening day of the season.
Although Blackburn have been on mixed form this season, star striker Jordan Rhodes has continued to be among the goals and has already notched seven this campaign.
Unfortunately for Burnley, Rhodes seems to enjoy playing in the East Lancashire derby and has scored in three of his last four appearances against The Clarets.
Burnley on the other hand have adapted well to life back in the Championship and are flying high in fifth place.
The Clarets have only lost one of their last nine league games and will come to Ewood Park full of confidence.
Sean Dyche will be hoping that £9 million summer signing Andre Grey continues his rich vain of form as the 24-year old has scored three goals in his last three games.
Team News
Blackburn’s Craig Conway and Matt Kilgallon look set to shake off injures in time to play, whilst Ben Marshall and Hope Akpan face a race against time to be fit.
Adam Henley could also be welcomed back into the Blackburn side after serving his suspension.
As for Burnley, midfielder George Boyd is a doubt, while Dean Marney and Kevin Long both look set to miss out.
Meanwhile new signing Joey Barton looks set to continue in midfield after starting Burnley’s last three games.
What the managers have had to say
Ahead of tomorrow’s derby Bowyer told Blackburn’s official website, “Once the Tuesday’s game was out of the way then the talk at the training ground was about this Saturday’s match and rightly so as it is one that everybody is really looking forward to
“I don’t think the build-up is any different in a sense of how we prepare, we’ll go through the same processes. But the main thing is that it is the local derby and the atmosphere that takes place at these games. It is just completely different and one that you’ve really got to love and enjoy being involved in.”
Burnley boss Dyche also spoke of his excitement, telling reporters, “I’ve had a few opportunities to experience this game and I think we’ve come to realise it’s an important occasion for the fans and it is really the people’s game.”
