Burnley v Blackburn Rovers Match Preview

[outwoodclaret]

Venue: Ewood Park, Nuttall Street, Blackburn, BB2 4JF
Kick Off -20.00 Tuesday April 25 2023

Could there be a shock on the cards I wondered in the Match Preview for our home game against Queens Park Rangers? Shock there was, but it was not so surprising. The Clarets having beaten Middlesbrough away to clinch promotion and then nearest rivals Sheffield United are still seeking the points that will wrap up the Championship tittle. Games against Reading, Rotherham and now QPR-all three of them candidates for relegation-have yielded a meagre two points. There are perhaps a few reasons for the recent drop in levels of performance but one obvious factor is the absence of Nathan Tella. With 17 goals and 5 assists from just 38 appearances (31 starts) his attacking contribution has been sorely missed since injury forced his withdrawal at Reading after just 15 minutes.

The defeat against QPR brought to a shuddering halt a run of 22 unbeaten games and put an end to Burnley’s unbeaten home record this season. We cannot now run out onto the pitch at Ewood as newly crowned champions as so many of us hoped. Yet what greater incentive can Vincent Kompany and the team have than the opportunity to go and make the title theirs at the home of their most bitter rivals? Blackburn themselves have taken just 4 points from their last 6 league games. Injury time goals conceded at home to Coventry and then away at Preston have left them outside the top six. Even though Rovers have a game in hand over both Coventry and Millwall who are above them, defeat by the Clarets could well put paid to any hopes they have of finishing the season in the play off places.

Burnley have won each of the last four league meetings between the two clubs. When they faced each other at Turf Moor in November the Clarets triumphed 3-0 with a brace from Ashley Barnes and one from Anass Zaroury. Barnes has scored four goals in four league games against Blackburn (he scored 2 for previous club Brighton) but none of these were scored at Ewood. What finer way to cap his swansong season for the Clarets than to get on the scoresheet at the home of Blackburn Rovers.

As if the East Lancashire derby were not charged enough on its own, both sides on this occasion have extra reason for wanting to win. For Burnley a title, for Rovers the chance to make the play offs. The team that plays with calmness under all the pressure will triumph.

[sinkov]

This game always brings back memories of the 60s, thousands of Burnley fans singing along,

"If I had the wings of an angel,
the dirty black arse of a crow,
I'd fly over Ewood tomorrow,
and sh1t on the b'stards below.
sh1t on, sh1t on, and sh1t on the b'stards below, below,
sh1t on, sh1t on, and sh1t on the b'stards in blue and white."

[The Bedlington Terrier]

The footballing Gods have decreed Burnley will secure the Championship title tomorrow night at Ewood, it’s written in the stars.
.

[outwoodclaret]

The footballing Gods have decreed Burnley will secure the Championship title tomorrow night at Ewood, it’s written in the stars.
.

As flies to wanton boys are we to the Gods
They kill us for their sport.

I trust VK and CB will prepare the troops well for battle!

[sinkov]

As flies to wanton boys are we to the Gods
They kill us for their sport.

I trust VK and CB will prepare the troops well for battle!

King Lear eh Outwood, perhaps Henry V would be more appropriate,

"Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more".

It does go on to mention St George, but best not go there, BT doesn't do patriotism and I don't want to upset him again.

[wanderlust]

The footballing Gods have decreed Burnley will secure the Championship title tomorrow night at Ewood, it’s written in the stars.
.

.......whilst simultaneously f***** up their bid to get into the playoffs

But more to the point, please, please, please get the trophy presented to your players on their pitch in front of their fans.
I would love that - and you can do the laps of honour at the Cardiff game.