Sheffield Wednesday make the trip up to Lancashire without a single point in six league games, their most recent point was against tonight’s opposition back in December.
To say it has been a difficult season for Wednesday would be a monumental understatement as issues off the pitch have inevitably leaked onto it.
A club that boasts a history of four First Division titles and three F.A Cups have found themselves at new lows amidst financial turmoil and with League One awaiting their return.
Woeful Wednesday
The odds were stacked up against them from before the season began after losing key squad members and being hit with a huge 18 point deduction.
However, this current run of six straight defeats is their worst so far this season and the wait for a win has extended week after week to 23 matches.
The worrying part of this run is their inability to hit the back of the net as each of their six defeats have been to nil.
It has been 11 hours of football since Bailey Cadamarteri scored against Hull City on Boxing Day, the same duration as a flight from Heathrow to Johannesburg.
Those 660 minutes have felt far from a smooth first class flight for Wednesday fans as there is genuine fear over whether or not the -18 point deduction will be overtaken.
Tonight feels a more feasible opportunity to restore pride with a goal and maybe even a result against another team who find themselves in a rut of their own and under immense pressure.
Must win for Valérien Ismaël’s side
The task at hand for Blackburn is a simple one – it feels they absolutely have to win this match.
They have been by no means cut adrift, a win sees them move out of the relegation zone on goal difference at West Bromwich Albion’s expense.
But one look at their home form this campaign and it is clear to see why they are in the relegation zone.
Two wins at Ewood Park all season makes it far from a fortress, only tonight’s visitors have a worse home record.
This is why a positive result against this Sheffield Wednesday side is pivotal to end a run of eight games without a win and restore confidence as the season nears the final straight.
Signings among injury struggles
Henrik Pedersen’s side were active in the loan market over the January window, bringing in six fresh players including Liam Cooper and young Crystal Palace defender Tayo Adaramola.
After a decade at the club, captain Barry Bannan moved on to Millwall after an emotional farewell against Bristol City.
The Owls will be expected to be without Pierce Charles, Dom Iorfa, Di’Shon Bernard, Ernie Weaver, Max Lowe, Nathaniel Chalobah, George Brown and Ike Ugbo, far from ideal for Pedersen.
Tonight’s match is an opportunity for Blackburn to lift their head above the water and climb out of the bottom three, while Wednesday may be able to capitalise on a pressured and out-of-form side who struggle at home.