Blackburn vs Wigan Prediction – With Wigan now in the playoffs, Blackburn still have an outside chance of joining them

Wigan’s victory over Birmingham has secured a playoff position for the end of the season. Regardless of the result on the final day, they have their place booked. After a season out of the top flight (and a cup semi final), Dave Whelan’s team will want to secure their promotion. One of their possible play off opponents will line up against them on the final day. Blackburn, results permitting, could sneak sixth spot. With a bit of luck (and three points here), a chance to return to the Premier League after a longer absence than their rivals will be hugely welcome. Wigan’s approach always ensures quick, transitional wing play. In their front three, they have the quality to hurt anybody (as they have evidenced in the cup). Blackburn will likely sit deep, though Jordan Rhodes might be itching to climb another division and continue to build on his scoring record in every league.

Form

Blackburn’s recent form might seem as though it is beginning to turn around, though it could be too little, too late. After a run of three straight wins, they thought their chances of promotion were escaping fast. The fall seems to be arrested, however, with a draw followed by a win. These results could well be the building blocks for a promotion push and could supply the form needed to get through those final games. Whether they will get the chance, however, remains to be seen, as their opponents are no slouches and neither are the teams around them.

Having to balance a cup run (as well as European competition earlier in the season) has seen Wigan’s form difficult to predict. While they might necessarily have been among the top contenders, they have frequently played fewer games and their position can be considered false. Now, with one game of the regular season left, they are finally on an equal footing. In doing so, they have qualified for the playoffs. The worst nightmare for them would be a loss to Blackburn here, then another in a few weeks’ time. To prevent the ignominy of such circumstances, they may wish to put Blackburn to the sword now.

Team News

Blackburn enter the game having had three extra rest days. With few clubs playing as many matches as Wigan this season, this could prove telling. The defence and midfield will be sure to remain in place, despite recent concessions while the key choice could be the man who plays alongside Jordan Rhodes. With no fresh injury concerns and a relatively healthy roster in terms of short absences, Blackburn will be able to field as close to possible as their starting eleven.

Callum McManaman will be the key to Wigan’s hopes. After a fine end to the previous season, many expected him to exit the club but he has stayed and proven his worth time and time again. Should Uwe Rosler decide that Blackburn are there for the taking, he will likely field the same team as that which played in mid-week. Waghorn might be dropped and another striker brought in, but the team will want to gel before the playoff matches. Having fewer days rest might prove telling, so expect the manager to make full use of his substitutions.

Blackburn

P45 W17 D16 L12

LLLDW

Predicted Line-Up (4-4-2): Robinson; Keane, Hanley, Kilgallon, Olsson; King, Cairney, Evans, Conway; Gestede, Rhodes.

Wigan

P45 W21 D10 L14

WLWLW

Predicted Line-Up (4-3-3): Al Habsi; Perch, Boyce, Barnett, Beausejour; McArthur, Gomez, Espinoza; McManaman, Waghorn, Maloney.

Prediction: Blackburn 1 - 2 Wigan

Wigan will want to ensure that their opponents stand no chance of getting one over and their strike force should be enough.