EPL Preview: Blackburn Rovers vs Manchester United

League leaders Manchester United make a short 25 miles trip to Blackburn on Monday to face relegation contenders Blackburn Rovers. Manchester City’s last-gasp draw against Sunderland on Saturday means that the defending champions can open a comfortable 5 point gap if they can put in a professional display against a resurgent Rovers side. This fixture has become a regular feature in United’s title run-in over the last few seasons, with United taking the English crown last season with a draw at Ewood Park. A goalless draw in the same match in the 09/10 season proved to be highly consequential as United finished just 1 point adrift of eventual champions Chelsea.

Monday’s late-night match again has the potential to be a title-decider. A win for United will help them establish a 5-point cushion over their neighbors, a gap which might prove too big to bridge for Manchester City with just 7 games to go. An upset at Ewood Park can be a dampener to the spirits of the Red Devils and might just be the boost that the Citizens need to make the final leap towards long-overdue glory.

BLACKBURN ROVERS

United will have to watch out for the duo of Yakubu and Hoillet

Steve Kean has weathered widespread criticism throughout the season and has taken his beleaguered squad out of the drop zone in recent weeks. March was a mixed bag for the Riversiders, with crucial victories over Sunderland and Wolves helping them climb upto sixteenth in the table. Last week’s defeat to fellow relegation favorites Bolton ended their 3-match unbeaten streak. Rovers have been unreliable and unconvincing at home with just 2 wins to show for in their last 5 home encounters.

Steve Kean has played an unchanged eleven in his team’s last 3 matches and he will surely like to continue with the successful 4-4-1-1 formation. The highly underrated Yakubu will be deployed as the lone striker while 21-year old Canadian Junior Hoillet will be lining up just behind the Nigerian. Formica and Marcus Olsson will man the flanks while N’Zonzi and Pederson will sit in the centre of the park. The flat back four of Jason Lowe, Grant Hanley, Scott Dann and Martin Olsson will stand guard against an attacking United frontline. Rovers will have to make-do without the defensive duo of Salgado and Gael Givet while Aussie midfielder Vincenzo Grella is also sidelined.

Probable Starting Line-up (4-4-1-1): Robinson (GK); Lowe, Hanley, Dann, Martin Olsson, Formica, Pederson, N’Zonzi, Marcus Olsson, Hoilett, Yakubu

MANCHESTER UNITED

Sir Alex’s boys are on a fantastic 10-match unbeaten run in the league, their last defeat coming at the hands of Newcastle in the first match of 2012. Their misadventures in Europe and other domestic tournaments have been a blessing in disguise as the players have enjoyed a rejuvenating week-long break since their 1-0 win against Fulham at Old Trafford. The physio’s room bears a deserted look as opposed to the mid-season injury crisis with Nani probably being the only man missing from action. United’s back-four will have to be wary of the partnership of Yakubu and Hoillet, who have scored 20 league goals between them (4 in the last 3).

Rooney and Valencia: Crucial to United's title bid

The return of Paul Scholes has overturned United’s fortunes as the Red Devils haven’t lost since the Ginger Prince’s arrival at the turn of the year. Rooney’s goal-scoring form needs no mentioning while Antonio Valencia’s exploits on the right flank have earned him applause from all quarters. The team has averaged 2.5 goals per game in the last 10 league fixtures and scoring goals at Ewood Park shouldn’t be a problem given Paul Robinson’s sub-standard displays under the crossbar. His counterpart at United, David de Gea is enjoying his best time in the red shirt and his acrobatics and athleticism have been a sheer delight to watch.

Sir Alex will continue with his tried and tested 4-4-1-1 formation he’s being using all season to great effect. Danny Welbeck hasn’t had much luck infront of goal recently which might prompt Sir Alex to start with Javier Hernandez upfront. Valencia and Young should continue down the flanks while Carrick and Scholes will sit deep and orchestrate play in the midfield. Tom Cleverly is another crucial piece of the jigsaw and it’ll be interesting to see how the playmaker is used on Monday night. Rio Ferdinand has declared himself fit for the tie.

Probable Starting Line-up (4-4-1-1): De Gea(GK); Rafael, Evans, Ferdinand, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Scholes, Young, Rooney, Hernandez

Sportskeeda Prediction: Blackburn’s shock 3-2 victory over United at Old Trafford in December will be in the minds of Sir Alex and his men when they take to the field on Monday. But given United’s brilliant away form(1 loss in 16 games) and Blackburn’s nervousness at home, a repeat of that result seems way out of proportion. United will have to be wary of complacency and look to stamp their authority on the title and dash the hopes and aspirations of their flailing ‘Noisy Neighbours’.

We’ll go for a 2-0 win for Manchester United with Rooney scoring a brace.

Kick-off: Tuesday, 0030 hrs IST (Live on ESPN)