Manchester United will look to capitalise on another slip-up from neighbours Manchester City, Blackburn seemed to be on the way to safety but all the teams around them won this weekend, so points here is a must for both teams.
Date: 2nd April 2012
Venue: Ewood Park
Capacity: 31,154
Referee: Howard Webb
Probable starting XIs
Blackburn Rovers: Robinson; Martin Olsson, Hanley, Dann, Lowe; Formica, Nzonzi, Pedersen, Marcus Olsson, Hoilett; Yakubu
Manchester United: De Gea; Rafael, Evans, Ferdinand, Evra; Young, Carrick, Scholes, Valencia; Rooney, Welbeck
Gael Givet is still doubtful with a hamstring problem for Blackburn, they also have Grella injured with a calf problem, and the home side got a shock three points when the teams met on New Year’s Eve at Old Trafford with a 3-2 victory. Blackburn have scored more league goals (43) than any other team outside the top six, however they have conceded 62 times which is the second worst in the league.
Injuries seem to be easing for the Red Devils just at the right time, the only absentees they have is Nani, who has recently started training again, and long term injuries to Anderson, Fletcher and Vidic. Manchester United on the other hand have won six league games in a row, and come into this one in good form, Dimitar Berbatov has scored eight goals in his last five games against Rovers, however it is highly likely that he will miss out again.
Men to watch
Yakubu: The big striker posed a problem last time, I expect him to make a nuisance of himself again on Monday night.
Wayne Rooney: The United hit man has netted 18 goals in 18 games and he is the away teams best bet if they want to come out on top in this one.
Last meeting: Rovers took the victory 3-2 at Old Trafford, when Manchester United played a severely weakened side on New Years Eve
My Prediction: Blackburn Rovers 1-2 Manchester United
I think the champions will just edge this one, but I don’t expect Blackburn to just roll over, they will put up a fight and prove to be a handful.
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