Tyrhys Dolan kept alive Blackburn’s chances of making the Sky Bet Championship play-offs after a hard-earned win at Sunderland.
On an afternoon when results elsewhere meant the Black Cats secured fourth place, Dolan’s 33rd-minute strike was enough to clinch a 1-0 victory at the Stadium of Light and a third on the trot for Valerien Ismael’s side.
By contrast, Regis Le Bris’ men have lost their last three games and have collected just one of the last 12 points on offer, hardly the kind of form they would want to take into the play-offs.
Le Bris made seven changes to the side which lost 2-1 at Bristol City on Good Friday, one of them to replace the suspended Trai Hume following his red card.
Wilson Isidor tested goalkeeper Balazs Toth with a first-time shot from Harrison Jones’ fourth-minute cross and Tommy Watson saw an effort blocked by Ryan Hedges with the home side threatening the Rovers goal early on.
The visitors started to come into the game as Sondre Tronstad and Lewis Travis gained a foothold in midfield but it took a solid 29th-minute block by Dominic Hyam to deny Isidor after Jobe Bellingham and Watson had broken at pace.
Isidor flashed an ambitious volley across the face of goal from Jones’ lofted pass but the hosts were behind 12 minutes before the break when Cauley Woodrow found Dolan in the box and he stepped inside Joe Anderson – making his first league start for Sunderland – before firing into the roof of the net.
Jones blazed over after Luke O’Nien’s speculative attempt had been deflected into his path and Danny Batth blocked Bellingham’s effort as the whistle approached but the home side went in at the break frustrated.
In a tepid start to the second half, Watson looked the man most likely to fashion an opening but clear-cut chances were at a premium and after Isidor had dragged a 64th-minute attempt wide, the Frenchman made a triple change to send on attacking trio Chris Rigg, Enzo Le Fee and Eliezer Mayenda.
Bellingham only just failed to get a touch on Rigg’s teasing 77th-minute cross but Blackburn substitute Makhtar Gueye might have done better after bursting forward four minutes later only to see his shot charged down by defender Chris Mepham.
[(Gil Vicente FC) Strength]: 1. Gil Vicente FC finished 13th in the league last season. They aim to avoid relegation and fight for a Conference League spot in the new season. Facing FC Porto, the team are motivated to take points in this home game.2. Gil Vicente FC won the recent two games in a row across all competitions. They won 2-0 over CD Nacional in the last league game, smoothly starting wi...
[(Dynamo Dresden) Neutral]: 1. Both sides have never met before, so there were no records to refer to.[(Dynamo Dresden) Weakness]: 1. As the newly promoted team in the 2. Bundesliga, Dynamo Dresden suffered a losing streak in the first two rounds, being demoralized a lot. Facing 1.FSV Mainz 05 in the first game of the DFB-Pokal at home, the team find it hard to secure a win, indicating doubtful mo...
[(Jaro) Strength]: 1. Jaro are 8th in the table and still need points to secure a Championship play-offs spot, indicating full motivation in this match.2. Forward Kerfala Cissoko scored the winner in the last game, helping his side win.3. Jaro won 2-1 over FC Haka in the last game, securing a 2-game winning streak and showing outstanding recent form.4. Jaro were unbeaten with 1 win and 1 draw in t...
[(SC Preussen Munster) Strength]: 1. In the new season, SC Preussen Munster's 3 goals in two league games were scored by 3 players, showing multiple scorers on offense.2. SC Preussen Munster won 4 of the last 5 home games in AH, boasting a decent home trend.[(SC Preussen Munster) Neutral]: 1. SC Preussen Munster drew 1-1 with SC Paderborn 07 in the last 2. Bundesliga game, showing average performa...
[(Rot-Weiss Essen) Strength]: 1. Rot-Weiss Essen are playing in the 3. Liga this season. Despite their inferior strength to their rivals, the team will still go all out to secure a qualification spot in this home game.2. Tobias Kraulich scored a goal in the last game, showing his outstanding form.3. Rot-Weiss Essen scored 2 goals and conceded 2 in the last 2 competitive games, boasting decent offe...
[(IFK Varnamo) Strength]: 1. IFK Varnamo are at the bottom of the table this season. If they want to avoid relegation, they have to go all out for points in every game, indicating strong motivation in this match.2. Kai Meriluoto scored a goal and made an assist in the last game, helping the team tie with IF Elfsborg.3. IFK Varnamo won the last 2 games in AH, demonstrating recent performances in li...
[(Le Mans) Strength]: 1. Le Mans drew with En Avant Guingamp in the last league game, failing to start with a win. In this home match, they are motivated to secure their first win of the new season.2. William Harhouz scored an equalizer before the end of the last game, helping the team tie with En Avant Guingamp.3. Le Mans secured a 3-game winning streak in recent warm-up games at home, showing de...
[(Mirassol FC) Strength]: 1. Mirassol FC midfielder Gabriel Santana scored a goal in the last league game, performing actively.2. Mirassol FC scored 10 goals in the last 5 league games, averaging 2 goals per game, showing full offense.3. Mirassol FC conceded 5 goals in the last 5 league games, with an average of only 1 goal per game.4. Mirassol FC boast reliable home strength, remaining unbeaten w...
[(Leeds United) Strength]: 1. After relegation, Leeds United returned to the Premier League this season as the EFL Championship winners. The team significantly strengthened their squad during the summer transfer window, with the goal of staying in the Premier League this season. For their opening home game against Everton, they are determined to secure a winning start to the league, showing strong...
[(Elche) Strength]: 1. As the newly promoted team this season, Elche are motivated to start with a home win in their debut.2. In the summer window, Elche signed midfielder Federico Redondo, Real Madrid loan forward Alvaro Rodriguez, and Valencia CF striker German Valera.3. Elche finished 22 wins, 11 draws, and 9 losses in the Segunda Division last season, smoothly being promoted as the 2nd-placed ...
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