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10/29/2001
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Dette er Soccerage.com sin match preview
10/28/2001. Blackburn V Leicester
AT STAKE:
Blackburn are making a big impression in the Premiership after a slow start to the season. Draws against Man U at home and recently extracting an unlikely point from Highbury, prove beyond doubt that Rovers are capable of more than holding their own in the topflight. The biggest worry for newly promoted sides, relegation, is looking more and more unlikely as the season goes on. Blackburn are expected to beat Leicester on current form, a victory would leapfrog them into the top ten.
There is a lot at stake for the Leicester players. For some this will be their final chance to impress new manager Dave Bassett and show that they are worth keeping at the struggling club, as he looks to bring in his own players. Tim Flowers has set the exodus ball rolling after departing for Stockport. More could follow, as Bassett prepares to make way to bring his own players in. At stake for the team as a whole, is the chance to halt a dreadful slide of five defeats on the trot and stop themselves before they become totally stranded at the bottom of the league.
TEAM NEWS AND CURRENT FORM:
Graeme Souness will enjoy the luxury of an almost fully fit squad to choose from. And he’s got some big decisions to make, with three players vying for the centre back spots and equally healthy competition in midfield. The certainties to start up front are Ciccio Grabbi and Matt Jansen. The only Rovers player to miss out is Damian Duff, who is still recovering from a hamstring injury.
Blackburn are in good form after two superb results in the league, 7-1 over West Ham at Ewood Park and a respectable 3-3 draw on their travels at Arsenal. The team still awaits their first away win, but ominously for Leicester, Blackburn’s home form, so far, has been absolutely formidable.
FORM: Last six games, all competitions, oldest first: DWLWWD
Gary Rowett’s surprise return to fitness gives Bassett a big boost as he looks to turn things around at Leicester. He will however have to do without Dean Sturridge and Arnur Gunnlaugsson for this match as they have yet to recover from injury. Matt Elliot will have a late fitness test to decide if he will play.
Leicester’s form has been abysmal. Dave Bassett’s first thankless task will be to somehow redress the rot that has grown under the Taylor stewardship. That Dennis Wise consolation against Liverpool was Leicester’s first goal in approximately 540 minutes of football. It’s no surprise that Basset rates bringing a striker to the club as a first priority.
FORM: Last six games, all competitions, oldest first: DLLLLL
WHO’S HOT
Blackburn: David Dunn: The England U21 captain has very quickly found his feet in the Premiership. After an injury that saw him miss the first six weeks of the season, Dunn has made his comeback in devastating style. The player was one of the scorers in the 7-1 demolition job against West Ham and he followed that up with a double against Arsenal.
Leicester: No-one: No-one in the Leicester team can say that they have played anywhere near their best this season. Not even the ever-reliable Dennis Wise has made that much of an impact at Filburt Street. Robbie Savage appears keener on riling his opponents than playing football and experienced Matt Elliot has looked like a rookie daunted by his responsibility.
WHO’S NOT
Blackburn: Corrado Grabbi: The Italian has to be considered as ‘not hot’ simply because of his lack of goals. No one can doubt his work rate or his determination, but all that is undermined if he’s not doing his job – scoring goals. What is more, the former Ternana player appears to be struggling with niggling injuries that prevent him from having a long run in the first team.
Leicester: Everyone: An obvious target for this accolade is Ade Akinbyi, however, I see it differently. Akinbyi missed some excellent chances against Liverpool, but he was not at fault for the dreadful goals conceded. The problem is that once the chips were down and things start looking grim, all too many Leicester players go missing. It all boils down to a distinct lack of grit and determination amongst the Foxes, concede one and the heads go down.
SA PREDICTION
Rovers’ last home game was that memorable mauling of West Ham. And even though Leicester are in a similar predicament to the Hammers, I can’t see Blackburn handing out another dramatic thrashing. Dave Bassett will have strengthened the morale amongst his troops, and they will come out and give Blackburn a tough time. Despite this, I still believe that Rover’s superior quality will prevail in a 2-1 victory.
POSSIBLE STARTING XI;
Blackburn Rovers (4-4-2): Friedel, Johannson, Bjornebye, Short, Neill, Gillespie, Flitcroft, Tugay, Dunn, Jansen, Grabbi
Leicester: (4-4-2): Walker, Davidson, Elliot, Sinclair, Impey, Piper, Savage, Wise, Marshall, Akinbyi, Scowcroft,