Rotherham v Blackburn: Sluggish showdown at the New York Stadium

• Rotherham on the slide

• Blackburn still yet to draw

• Few goals fancied

Rotherham fall flat in the FA Cup

Rotherham's poor recent form continued in the FA Cup last weekend as the Millers were thrashed 4-1 at League One high-flyers Ipswich in their third round clash. The South Yorkshire outfit conceded three times in the final 16 minutes at Portman Road but were comfortably second-best from the off, managing just four shots in total.

Despite dominating the first half, it took Ipswich until the 43rd minute to take the lead. But a Conor Washington penalty drew Rotherham level two minutes after the interval. However, Ipswich's pressure eventually paid as the hosts scored the first of their final three goals 16 minutes from time as United folded late on.

Speaking post-match, head coach Matty Taylor said, "We're not shy of making mistakes but it's what happens off the back of that that matters, and our confidence is so low at the moment it seems to be punishing us. I really want to be more direct than we are but we've got no physical body at the top end of the pitch. I've not got a fit, physical centre forward."

Arsenal youngster Brooke Norton-Cuffy has been recalled from his loan spell at the New York Stadium, although there's hope that attacker Chiedozie Ogbene and centre-half Lee Peltier will be fit enough to feature this weekend. But central defender Grant Hall and strike duo Georgie Kelly and Tom Eaves, are all expected to miss out again on Saturday.

Blackburn earn overdue cup success

Blackburn scrapped and battled their way into the FA Cup fourth round for the first time since 2016/17 courtesy of a Jack Vale goal against Norwich at Carrow Road last weekend.

Vale pounced on a Grant Hanley mistake on the half hour for what was only his second senior goal to secure the 1-0 success. Yet the triumph - a first in the FA Cup since 2017 -owed more to Rovers' battling spirit and some excellent rearguard action, with goalkeeper Aynsley Pears making some key saves with Dom Hyam and Ash Phillips also standing out.

Blackburn boss Jon Dahl Tomasson was full of praise for his players post-match, saying: "We all know it was a brilliant win. They asked us a lot of questions, but I think all the players had very good answers. We played with extreme discipline and intensity. The clean sheet was a key to the game and we're delighted to be in the next round of the competition."

Tomasson made six changes with Lewis Travis and Scott Wharton getting their opportunities back in the first-team, while cup regulars Pears, Hayden Carter, Dilan Markanday and Jack all came in to the starting XI. Daniel Ayala and Sam Gallagher were left behind as their minutes continue to be managed, although both should return for Saturday's trip.

Rovers fair favourites

Rotherham haven't relished league meetings with Blackburn over the past eight years. Across the last 12 head-to-head encounters, the Millers have managed a solitary success against Rovers (W1-D4-L7) and were turned over 3-0 in the reverse clash back in October. However, at the New York Stadium, United have returned W2-D3-L1 versus Blackburn.

Rotherham 3.4549/20 were flying high when Paul Warne opted to join Derby. The Millers have progressively struggled since with only Wigan earning fewer points than the hosts in the following 17 Championship games (W3-D4-L10). Matty Taylor's team have also slumped to rock-bottom for Expected Points (xP), as well as non-penalty Expected Goals (npxG) ratio.

Blackburn 2.3211/8 bizarrely are yet to draw under Jon Dahl Tomasson's watch (W14-D0-L12) with Rovers sat third in the standings despite sitting 19^th in the xP rankings. Underlying data metrics suggest the visitors are 12 points better off their performances have warranted, whilst the Lancashire outfit have been turned over in eight of their 13 road trips thus far.

Both teams may not oblige

The Championship is averaging just 2.43 goals per-game this season with 45% of fixtures featuring Under 2.5 Goals 1.738/11. However, a better value bet opposing goals can be unearthed by taking Both Teams To Score 'No' 1.9520/21. It's a wager that's won in 56% of the Rotherham's matches and a massive 69% of Blackburn's overall outings.

Dig a little deeper and only two of Rovers' 13 games as guests have produced Both Teams To Score pay-outs as match-ups have returned just 2.08 goals per-game. The non-penalty Expected Goals (npxG) average remains below the 2.00 line with the visitors' firing blanks on seven occasions, as well as securing four wins 'to nil' on their travels.