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SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP
Venue: Ewood Park - Date: Tuesday, 8 April - Kick-off: 19:45 BST
Coverage: Watch highlights on The Football League Show; listen on BBC Radio 5 live and BBC local radio; text commentary on the BBC Sport website
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Match Preview
Three days after succumbing to a 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth at the Goldsands, Harry Redknapp will be keen to see a positive response from his side against a Rovers team unbeaten in six and with more than one eye on gate-crashing the play-off picture.
Gary Bowyer’s side beat Ipswich Town 2-0 at the weekend to move to within seven points of the top-six and whilst they are amongst the outsiders to achieve a play-off spot, Rangers will need to be at their best to leave Lancashire with a positive result.
Front-duo Jordan Rhodes and Rudy Gestede scored a goal apiece in Saturday’s victory against the Tractor Boys and the former is once again enjoying a remarkable season.
His 23rd goal of the campaign on Saturday – and 51st in a Rovers shirt – was up there with his very best, with Bowyer later describing it as an ‘outstanding finish.’
QPR could hand a start to their own top-scorer, Charlie Austin, tonight, following his return from injury at the weekend.
Austin made his first appearance for the R’s in over 10 weeks when he entered the fray as a substitute on Saturday, and Redknapp could be tempted to throw him in from the start at Ewood Park.
Armand Traore is struggling with an ankle injury sustained during Saturday’s loss at Bournemouth, while Jermaine Jenas is also doubtful with a tight calf and hamstring.
Joey Barton has missed the last two fixtures with a thigh strain and is unlikely to be available, while Nedum Onuoha and Aaron Hughes are also doubts (hamstrings).
Young duo Coll Donaldson and Michael Petrasso, who yesterday put pen to paper on a professional deal until the summer of 2017, are again likely to travel with the squad.
TEAM NEWS
Blackburn midfielder Corry Evans injured his groin in the 2-0 win over Ipswich and is unlikely to feature.
Fellow midfielder Jason Lowe (ankle) has returned to full training and could play, but winger Ben Marshall and full-back Adam Henley remain sidelined.
QPR winger Armand Traore is doubtful after limping off towards the end of their match against Bournemouth.
Defenders Aaron Hughes (hamstring) and Nedum Onuoha (calf) and midfielder Joey Barton (thigh) are all out.
Meet the managers
(Stephie) Bowyer
v
(Louise) Redknapp
Possible starting XI
MATCH FACTS
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(Stephie) Bowyer
v
(Louise) Redknapp
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Possible starting XI
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- - -
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MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• These sides played out a goalless draw at Loftus Road in December.
• Blackburn are unbeaten in the past seven meetings in all competitions, winning four. QPR's last win was 2-0 at Ewood Park in the old Division One in October 1999.
• Blackburn are unbeaten in the past four meetings at Ewood Park in all competitions, winning the past three.
Blackburn
• Blackburn are unbeaten in their past six games, winning two. Their last defeat was 1-0 against Bournemouth at home on 12 March.
• The 2-0 win against Ipswich on Saturday is their only win in their past five games at Ewood Park.
QPR
• QPR have not won either of their lpst two games, after winning three of their previous four.
• Rangers have kept 17 clean sheets in the league so far this season - only Brighton have kept more.
• They have won only two of their past seven away games, losing the other five.
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Sincerely hope you get your wish mate.
