Nottingham Forest vs Blackburn Predictions

With eight points between them and sixth, it seems like Nottingham Forest’s playoff hopes are all but over. Martin O’Neill’s side are set for a tame finish to the season, as they look to build up some steam in the remaining five matches of the campaign. Forest do have a chance to boost their recent form, with a home clash with Blackburn on Saturday. Can they return to winning ways in this one?

The hosts have fallen away from the playoff race thanks to their back to back defeats. They’ve lost in visits to Rotherham and Sheffield Wednesday  – with their poor away record always looking like it would ultimately cost them in their bid to make the top six. They still have work to do in order to finish up in the top half, while O’Neill is likely to demand a strong finish to strengthen his hand in the transfer market.

Blackburn Rovers come here having dealt a massive blow to Forest’s bitter rivals Derby in midweek. They beat the Rams 2-0 on Tuesday to push Frank Lampard’s side away from the top six. Meanwhile, the visitors were able to move onto 50 points with that success, which has made sure of their place in the second tier. Will they now follow up that win by claiming a victory at the City Ground?

Blackburn are unlikely to trouble the hosts here, given their awful recent record. They’ve lost nine of their last 12 matches, while they have significant issues on the road. Rovers have been beaten 11 times on the road this season, while they come into this clash having been beaten in five of their last six matches away from home. They’ve conceded at least twice in those six, showing that their defensive troubles remain a huge issue.

Forest should be able to take advantage of Blackburn’s issues on the road. The hosts have claimed 65% of their points at their own ground, which has made home results vital to their playoff hopes. The hosts have been in fine form at this ground under O’Neill, winning five of their last six matches at home. They come into this one on the back of a victory here, having won 11 times at their own ground this season. We’re backing Forest to follow up their good form by punishing Blackburn, so we’re going with Forest to come away with the points in this one.