Nottingham Forest vs Blackburn preview
Friday 12 April 2019 10:27, UK
Nottingham Forest boss Martin O'Neill could again make changes to his team as they take on Blackburn at the City Ground.
With the Reds' play-off challenge having faded, O'Neill said he would experiment with his starting line-ups for the remaining games this season and he made five changes at Sheffield Wednesday in midweek.
Luke Steele and Arvin Appiah were given their first league starts at Hillsborough, while Sam Byram made his return from injury at right-back. Forest will check on the fitness of Tendayi Darikwa. The full-back has missed the last two matches with a hamstring problem.
Craig Conway is the only injury concern for Blackburn. The winger was excellent in the home win against Derby on Tuesday night but he is a doubt for the weekend due to a thigh strain.
Rovers captain Charlie Mulgrew has resumed training after an ankle injury kept him out in midweek. The defender will be assessed to see if there is any reaction but he is expected to be in the squad. Blackburn have won away just once in the league since October.
Opta stats
Nottingham Forest are winless in seven Championship matches against Blackburn (W0 D4 L3) since a 4-1 win in January 2014.
Blackburn have won seven of their last 13 away matches against Nottingham Forest in all competitions (W7 D4 L2), winning 1-0 most recently in April 2017.
Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Luke Steele made his first Championship start of the season at Sheffield Wednesday, conceding three times - Steele has kept just five clean sheets in his last 36 starts in the division and has conceded 10 goals in his last three Championship games against Blackburn.
Blackburn's Bradley Dack has been involved in 19 league goals this season (13 goals, 6 assists) - he scored and assisted in the 2-2 draw between Blackburn and Nottingham Forest earlier this season.
Nottingham Forest haven't lost three consecutive league games since April 2018, while Martin O'Neill hasn't lost three English league games in a row outside the top-flight since February 1994 with Wycombe Wanderers.
Blackburn have conceded 18 goals in their last six away Championship matches (W0 D1 L5).
Prutton's prediction
David Prutton predicts: 1-1 (11/2 with Sky Bet)
