Blackburn v Newcastle FA Cup Tips: Szmodics looking to extend cup scoring run

• There could well be plenty of goals in this cup tie

• Sammie Szmodics form in this competition can't be ignored

• Read Betfair's 90 minute payout offer here

Blackburn v Newcastle
Tuesday, 19:45
Live on BBC1

Blackburn Rovers have't tasted a great deal of success against Newcastle in previous FA Cup encounters, eliminated in seven of their nine ties with the Magpies in this competition, including their last five. Despite this, the hosts on Tuesday evening will have plenty of reason to feel optimistic heading into this particular contest.

There have been plenty of positive signs since John Eustice was appointed as manager of the Championship side looking to distance themselves from a relegation battle and they fought hard to pick up a valuable and impressive point against play-off chasing Norwich at the weekend.

As for Newcastle, it's not just a torrid injury pile up that has hindered them this season as defensive frailties and errors continue to mount. Struggling to halt a concerning slide down the Premier League table, their hopes of securing a European spot continue to fade. They've not looked assured at the back for a little while now.

In their last 12 Premier League games, Eddie Howe's side has shipped a staggering 31 goals. Finding the back of the net themselves has rarely been a concern but if they are to remain competitive in the race to secure European football and if they want to advance in the FA Cup, defensive solidity is what they need to find.

Newcastle's woes at the back coupled with the fact that Blackburn have scored nine in their last two FA Cup matches makes over 3.5 goals in this match at 21/202.05 look very appealing.

Blackburn's biggest threats

Sammie Szmodics found opportunities hard to come by at the weekend and was unable to have any real influence on the contest but that's something that's rarely been said about the 28-year-old this season.

Szmodics has already found the back of the net on 23 occasions this season and has also scored in each of his last four FA Cup appearances. No player has scored more than him in this season's competition, the forward backed up a hat-trick against Cambridge United with a brace last time out against Wrexham.

He is 2/13.00 to find the back of the net again on Tuesday night.

Rovers are without a win in their last four league games and have recorded just one victory since getting the better of Wrexham to advance to this stage of the tournament but there are plenty of encouraging signs when it comes to performance levels.

Despite this and even taking Newcastle's recent form into consideration, you'd expect the top flight outfit to have too much for their Championship opponents.

John Eustice's side are looking to reach the FA Cup quarter-final in consecutive campaigns for the first time since 1927-28/1928-29. They reached the last eight last season by beating Premier League opposition in the fifth round and they are 4/15.00 to repeat that feat.

Toon will hope they have too much up top

I'm sure Newcastle will be hoping for an easier defensive examination by Blackburn's frontline than they've experienced in the Premier League of late and will be confident that they'll have too much at the other end of the pitch.

The creativity of Bruno Guimaraes could well help to unlock Blackburn's defence, we've seen time and time again how devastating his range of passing can be in the final third when he's used in a more attacking role.

Despite their recent league form, I'm backing Newcastle to win this contest and both teams to score at 6/42.50.

Now read more FA Cup previews and tips here.