22 points separate automatic promotion hopefuls Brighton & Hove Albion and struggling Blackburn Rovers but this match at Ewood Park is of equal importance for both sides.
Blackburn had experienced an upturn in fortunes just after the international break as they won two consecutive Championship matches to pull themselves out of the relegation zone, however, since then they have only picked up one point from a possible nine; resulting in a swift drop back down to earth. This kind of form is exactly what the Championship is about, nobody knows what will happen from one game to the next.
Goals are not the problem for Owen Coyle’s side as they have a total of 23 n 20 matches – rivaling many teams in the play-offs – and have found the back of the net in each of their last six games. It is the back-line which is proving problematic with 31 goals conceded and just two clean sheets in all competitions this season.
They proved against Newcastle that, if they keep their defence watertight, they are capable of winning matches so survival is nowhere near off limits at the moment.
Another thing in favour of Blackburn is their home form as they have not lost a league match at Ewood Park in five outings – a run which stretches back nearly two months. This will certainly give them a bit of confidence when they host in-form Brighton.
Whilst they may have a bit of confidence, this is a Brighton side in top form at the moment and look pretty certain to go up as they already sit five points ahead of the play-off places with just two losses all season.
The main reason that Brighton lose so few games is their excellent defence which has conceded just 11 goals in 20 league matches – just over half a goal a game – incredible. Only Chelsea in the Premier League have a record as good as that and even they have played fewer games.
Luckily for The Seagulls they also have an experienced Championship striker in Glen Murray who manager Chris Hughton can rely on to score on a regular basis. The 33-year-old is on a good run at the moment with six goals in his last six matches.
Brighton will feel confident going to Ewood Park on Tuesday night thanks to their excellent away record. Hughton’s men have conceded just one goal in their last six matches away from the AMEX Stadium and have lost just once on the road all season. The Seagulls will know that, if they better Newcastle’s result against Wigan Athletic, they will go top of the league.
Although Blackburn have a good home record, I cannot see anything other than a Brighton win here with the form they are in. Rovers cannot stop conceding goals and Brighton should punish them. Additionally, I would always back the team with the better defensive record as having a good back-line is key to picking up results in the Championship.
I am surprised that the Brighton win is odds-against here and I certainly think that is worth a go. If you fancy a bit more of a return then look at ‘Brighton to Win to Nil’ at 9/4. I am astounded that you can more than treble your money on this market and would say it is virtually a banker for a team who have conceded just one goal in their last six away matches.
Click here to see more Championship tips.