Blackburn v Nottingham Forest preview
Thursday 27 September 2018 18:59, UK
Blackburn captain Charlie Mulgrew looks set to return against Nottingham Forest.
The defender has missed the last two Championship matches due to illness and a calf problem. Mulgrew's return to fitness is timely with Derrick Williams set to serve a one-match suspension following his red card against Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup.
Corry Evans, Richie Smallwood, Elliott Bennett, Bradley Dack and Danny Graham were all rested in the cup and are likely to be restored to the Rovers team. On-loan Forest striker Ben Brereton will be unavailable against his parent club, with his move to Blackburn not being made permanent until January.
Forest will travel to Ewood Park without the suspended Diogo Goncalves. The Portuguese winger, on loan from Benfica, begins a three-match ban after he was sent off in the cup win against Stoke.
Reds boss Aitor Karanka made eight changes on Wednesday night and now faces a selection dilemma after the likes of Tendayi Darikwa, Michael Dawson, Tobias Figueiredo and Liam Bridcutt all came into the team and impressed. Striker Daryl Murphy is fit again after a recent calf problem and will hope to keep his place after marking his return with a goal against the Potters.
Opta stats
Blackburn are unbeaten in six league meetings with Nottingham Forest (W3 D3) since losing 4-1 in January 2014.
Nottingham Forest have won two of their last 13 away matches at Blackburn in all competitions (D3 L8).
Blackburn are currently enjoying a 24-game unbeaten run at Ewood Park in the EFL (W15 D9) since a 0-1 defeat to AFC Wimbledon in September 2017 - only once in their history have they have they gone longer without defeat on home soil (30 games unbeaten between April 1911 and December 1912).
Forest boss Aitor Karanka has never won against Blackburn in five previous attempts, all in the Championship (W0 D4 L1).
Blackburn's Bradley Dack has been directly involved in 10 goals from seven appearances in all competitions so far this season (6 goals, 4 assists).
82% of Nottingham Forest's goals in the Championship this season have been scored in the second half (9/11); the highest percentage of any side.
Prutton's prediction
I must admit it's a little bit of a surprise to look at Blackburn and see them in the middle of the table after what has seemed like such an impressive start to the season, which included a cracking win at Stoke last Saturday.
Nottingham Forest have won three on the bounce now in all competitions and things seem to be coming together under Aitor Karanka, but this will be a real test for them. Narrow home win for me.
David Prutton predicts: 1-0 (11/2 with Sky Bet)
