Blues v Rotherham – 18/04/2021

In what is a pivotal match at the bottom end of the Championship, Blues face Rotherham at The New York Stadium.

In what is a pivotal match at the bottom end of the Championship, Blues face Rotherham at The New York Stadium. In what is a real “6 pointer” a win for Blues would almost confirm safety from relegation, with four games remaining. However, a Rotherham win would leave the Blues 3 points from the drop, with The Millers having two games in hand. The game is Rotherhams 4th match in just 9 days, and Blues will be hoping to capitalise on a hopefully fatigued Millers side.

LAST TIME OUT

Blues

A important three points against Stoke City gave Blues some breathing space from the drop zone and leapfrogged fellow strugglers Huddersfield, Derby and Coventry. Lukas Jutkiewicz was at the double to give the Blues their 3rd successive home win,  the first time since October 2019. It was also Jukes 50th league goal for the club, the first player to hit 50 in the league since Paul Furlong and only the 2nd since club legend Trevor Francis.

Rotherham

In what was Rotherhams 3rd game in 6 days, the Millers lost to fellow strugglers Coventry City. Leo Ostigard rose the highest in the 70th minute to head in the only goal of the game, leaving Rotherham four points from safety. The loss came just two days after a 3-1 victory over QPR.

SQUADS

Blues

Lee Bowyer confirmed Toral is out for the season after suffering a hamstring injury against Brentford. Haliliovic is also out for today’s game after coming off at half time against Stoke. Scott Hogan returned to training late on in the week, so may make a return to the squad

Rotherham

Rotherham boss Paul Warne will be contemplating personnel changes after admitting that fatigue was a contributory factor in Thursday’s 1-0 defeat at home to Coventry. The Millers may be without Freddie Ladapo who was a doubt before the Thursday game but came off the bench for the final half-an-hour. Michael Ihiekwe is also a doubt despite playing 88 minutes on Thursday.

One to watch

6ft 3 Michael Smith has 10 goals this season for the Millers and will be a handful for the Blues centre halves. The striker has also registered 3 assists.

PREDICTED LINEUP

Think Bowyer will be going unchanged from the match against Stoke, with the only difference being McGree in for the injured Halilovic.

 

A Line From the managers

Bowyer

Obviously, we want to win the game. We’re going to go there to try and win the game like we have done since I’ve been here. If we come away with a point and keep the six-point gap, that’s important as well but I’d much rather come away with the win.

Paul Warne

Talking after the cov match

We looked a bit jaded. I can have no complaints on the scoreline. We will try to pick up the lads and go again Sunday but this was a blow.

 

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