Stoke City will host Blackburn Rovers at the Bet365 stadium with The Potters hoping to extend their 5-game unbeaten run.
The Potters have been in excellent form recently with them not only being unbeaten in 5 but also keeping 4 clean sheets in a row.
With a win against Blackburn potentially taking The Potters to as high as 10th Alex Neil will look at this fixture as an important stepping stone towards Stokes play off push.
Here’s everything you need to know about The Potters upcoming game against Rovers…
Team News
Jack Bonham has been in great form as of late and has been rewarded with a 1-year extension on his contract.
Alex Neil has stated in a recent interview that “his game has come on to another level” suggesting the boss is certainly impressed with Bonham’s development and performances.
Bonham deserves his extension after filling in the absence of former Stoke City number 1 Mark Travers excellently after he was recalled by his parent club Bournemouth.
On the injury front a few updates have been given by Neil. Lewis Baker and Tyresse Campbell are back in training. However, Lewis Baker may need “more minutes” according to Neil after coming back from a considerable knee Injury but Tyresse Campbell may not be “too far away” from returning.
Ben Wilmot will still be on the sidelines recovering from a knee injury he picked against Southampton.
Predicted Starting XI against Blackburn Rovers…
(GK) Bonham, Stevens, McNally, Rose, Hoever, Johnson, Pearson, Burger, Leris, Gayle, Vidigal
Opposition Manager
Jon Dahl Tomasson has come to Blackburn with a good reputation with his former club Malmo winning the Swedish title in his first season and took them to the group stages of the champions league in his second season.
Tomassons sides focus on keeping the ball and playing out from the back. Once the ball is played out from the back his sides look to create a numerical advantage and a wide shape to stretch the defence.
If that type of build up play doesn’t work Tomasson has no issue with adopting the long ball approach especially against teams who adopt a low or midblock. The long balls help to ensure a free man is found who can create dynamics in wide areas.
When it comes to defence Tomasson likes his teams to press high up the pitch to win the ball and often sets up a midblock. The midblock forces the opposition to play out wide and limits their choices.
Source: Total Football Analysis
Head-to-Head
Blackburn Rovers are the most successful team overall winning 44, drawing 12 and losing 40 of their encounters against The Potters.
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