*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
This week’s EFL Monday Night Football sees Preston North End welcome the visit of Lancashire rivals Blackburn Rovers.
It’s been a terrible time for play-off hopefuls Rovers to hit a bad spell of form, but they can still put themselves back in contention for a place in the Championship’s top six with a win on Monday night.
Visitors Preston have had a typically average season. They will be happy to have safely avoided relegation, and have secured themselves an eighth consecutive season in England’s second tier. But, currently residing in 15th place, this would be their lowest finish since their return to the Championship.
But on Monday, both sides get the opportunity to finish the season with some Lancashire bragging rights, in what’s set to be a tasty encounter. Here’s a four-way bet builder for Preston v Blackburn…
*A Bet Builder with these four bets pays at approximately 24/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
The latest football odds are on PaddyPower.com right nowMonday April 25, 19.30: Preston North End v Blackburn Rovers
TV: Sky Sports Football
Match Result: Draw
Preston have drawn more games than they’ve won at home this season – one of only five Championship teams to have done so. Their 10 home draws includes their 1-1 draw with play-off chasing Millwall last time out, in a similar looking encounter to this one. Blackburn have drawn 1/3 of their away games this season, with 7 draws on the road, as their away form has held them back in their push for promotion – they’re placed 17th in the away league table.
Blackburn have drawn more games than they’ve won since the turn of the year, and have only beaten relegated Derby since March, so we think three points is an unlikely return for Tony Mowbray’s side. This game has an entertaining draw written all over it.
Both Teams To Score
Preston have failed to score at home only three times this season (all in 0-0 draws), so finding the net at Deepdale hasn’t been their problem this season. They can rely on the attacking talents of 13 goal Emil Riis, 7 goal Cameron Archer (more on him later) and 5 goal, 5 assist Daniel Johnson to see them through.
Blackburn have scored in all their away games since the return of star striker, talismanic Chilean international Ben Breteton Diaz from an ankle ligament rupture – but without him admittedly struggled to find the net. But in their last two away games, both teams have scored, in a 2-1 loss to Peterborough, and a 2-2 draw with Coventry City. We think that given the attacking talents on display, Both Teams To Score is a fair shout.
- NOT SURE WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT? CLICK HERE TO LEARN ALL ABOUT WHAT A BET BUILDER IS
- LIKE PADDY POWER NEWS? OR MAYBE YOU JUST LIKE TO WHINGE? TELL US WHAT YOU THINK IN OUR READER SURVEY
Ben Brereton Diaz to score anytime
He’s had a mention earlier on, but Ben Brereton Diaz has had a sensational season for Blackburn Rovers. In the league he’s bagged an impressive 21 goals in only 34 games – hindered slightly by that ankle ligament rupture which caused the 23-year-old to miss 7 matches, in which Rovers picked up just four points. He’s the league’s third highest scorer, and was matching record-breaker Aleksandar Mitrovic earlier on in the season. Brereton Diaz has recovered from the recent injury, and has now played three 90 minutes on the spin, netting against Peterborough, so he’s in prime position to score again.
Finally, and maybe most importantly, it was his goal that was the difference between these two sides last time out. We’re backing Brereton Diaz to bag again against Preston come Monday night.
Cameron Archer to score anytime
Coming back to Cameron Archer, the striker on loan from Aston Villa has had a good spell since being brought in by manager Ryan Lowe in January. He’s got 7 goals in 17 games, and out of the last six goals Preston have scored, Archer bagged half of them – against fellow Lancashire rivals Blackpool, promotion chasers Bournemouth, and QPR. Going back further, since coming in, Preston as a club have only scored 15 goals, so Archer’s return of 7 makes up almost half of that.
The 20-year-old’s pace and trickery will be a real handful for Rovers’ back three, who will already be worried about the goal threat posed by Emil Riis, who’s netted 13 times and weighed in with 4 league assists for Preston. We’re backing Cameron Archer to score on Monday night, and continue his good form to push for a greater role at parent club Aston Villa for next season – or to secure a loan move higher up the Championship.
Preston v Blackburn Bet Builder Tips
- Match Result: Draw
- Both Teams To Score
- Ben Brereton Diaz to score anytime
- Cameron Archer to score anytime
*A Bet Builder with these four bets pays at approximately 24/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
FREE BET IF 1 LEG LETS YOU DOWN
If one leg of your 4+ fold Bet Builder fails to land, you get up to £/€10 back as a free bet. Customers can qualify for 1 Bet Builder Free Bet If 1 Leg Lets You Down per day up to £/€10. The free bets will be credited by 12pm the following day.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
READ MORE
- Head over to Paddy Power News for all the latest Football Tips
- Jamie Redknapp investigates football fans who have two teams
- Jamie Redknapp investigates the murky world of football NFTs