Blackburn and Stoke each have a route to the box that survives an initial clearance. Stoke's back three can absorb a direct ball, but its recent away wins still included plenty of shots conceded in the area. Blackburn's home attack can turn a Cantwell feed or a corner into a second attempt. The first goal should open more space and make the next delivery decisive.
Guðjohnsen has Blackburn's central finishing role, with Cantwell and Kargbo offering different ways to reach him. Stoke's McGlynn can recross after a clearance and find Boženík or Wilmot, while Blackburn's recent defending has let opponents get a second close shot. Galbraith is suspended after playing the full previous match, and Cissé missed Stoke's latest game, but McGlynn played throughout and Ingelsson and Manhoef returned for short spells.
A Blackburn lead would invite Stoke's wide service and leave transition space behind it; a Stoke lead would bring Blackburn's home set pieces and runners forward. Either response can produce another real finish after the sides trade chances. That's why I'm backing goals in Blackburn against Stoke.
