Fitness, form and availability

Argyle sit firmly in mid table as they host Blackburn this weekend, almost equidistant between 6th place and 21st. The Green Army will potentially see new signing Moses Makasi, on loan from West Ham, start. Argyle bounced back well last week with a win over Oldham after losing to league leaders Wigan the week previous. The trio of attackers, Lameiras, Carey and Taylor in Adams’ favour at the moment are all still fit and will look to breakdown Blackburn’s defence on Saturday afternoon.

As for Blackburn, they currently sit just behind leaders Wigan, in second place in Sky Bet League One. Blackburn’s last defeat came all the way back in October to Oldham. To put that in perspective, the reverse fixture where Rovers drew 1-1  with the Pilgrims was the week later. Tony Mowbray has claimed his squad is looking “healthy ahead of the trip”.

Predicted line-ups

I can see Blackburn keeping the same line-up that won them their midweek clash with Walsall- the same core of players have been on a fantastic run of form of late, so there Is little reason to make many changes.

(4-2-3-1) Raya; Nyambe, Downing, Williams, Bell; Bennett, Smallwood; Armstrong, Dack, Payne; Graham

With the new addition of Moses Makasi, Argyle fans will be looking forward to see if he starts and I think he will, with Ness dropping to the bench.

(4-3-3) Matthews; Threlkeld, Songo’o, Bradley, Sawyer; Fox, Makasi, Sarcevic; Carey, Taylor, Lameiras

Head-to-head

The clubs have met 49 times with both clubs winning 19 games apiece.

The last time Argyle lost to Blackburn in the League at Home Park was back in the 1991/92 season: a game which famously sealed Argyle’s relegation into the third tier of English football under the stewardship of Peter Shilton.

The highest scoring game had seven goals, with Argyle winning 4-3 in 1989. Rovers’ biggest win against Argyle was a 5-1 victory in 1975.

Writer’s comments

Argyle are in decent form recently however Blackburn’s form is something else. Argyle didn’t look too comfortable at all against Wigan, creating chances but being caught by the clinical nature of the away team. On Saturday, Derek’s men will come up against a side of a similar stature. It won’t be easy but if the Greens show some resilience at home I can see them coming away with a point. 1-1.