Fulham vs. Blackburn Rovers Predictions: We're backing the Cottagers to edge this Championship clash

Saturday’s early kick off in the Championship pits runaway leaders Fulham against Blackburn Rovers live on Sky. We've asked our regular tipster JimmyThePunt to preview this one and pick out his two best bets. 

The hosts come into this one having won both of their games last week, extending their lead at the top of the second tier to nine points, though it is worth noting that second placed Bournemouth have two games in hand on them. 

There was a chilling obstinacy about how Marco Silva’s side went about their business in those games. By no means at their free scoring best, but FFC secured maximum points to maintain their advantage and this is probably the most frightening aspect of their title charge. And why they already have the swagger of Champions. 

Below them, the race for the play-offs has descended into a quagmire, engulfing every side from third-placed Huddersfield to eleventh-placed Millwall, separated by just ten points and skewed by games in hand. 

Blackburn Rovers- in fourth place on 57 points- are in the thick of it and their stuttering form depicts a side longing for the return of their star man as they struggle to pull themselves out of the mud. 

Over the last ten games, Rovers have won three, drawn three and lost four with their form reading; WLDLLDWLWD. 

Therefore, despite the fact that on paper this is a clash between first and fourth, it is no surprise to see that the hosts are 1/2 favourites here, as they have won 67% of their games when priced accordingly. 

Fulham, table toppers in almost every department. Points, obviously, goals scored (82) and expected goals against (29.6). Their goal difference best epitomises their dominance though. It is +54 and that is more than twice that of the second best total in the division, Bournemouth on +24, and Bournemouth’s total is twice that of the third best total in the division, which is Blackburn on +12. 

The Cottagers games have averaged 3.36 goals and they have scored an average of 2.48 per game. In fact, they have only failed to score in three fixtures all season. They thumped Blackburn 0-7 in the reverse and since that rout they have scored six or more three times! 

So, why on earth should you back Fulham to win by one? Good question. Well, Fulham are unquestionably better than any other side in the league, so much so that their opponents now pay them the respect they deserve. 

In terms of a game plan, this means sides deploy a low block, look to starve Aleksandar Mitrović’s supply line and limit the other attackers to shots from range. The hosts recent results show that this has proven to be a relatively successful strategy for their opponents. 

Fulham have won three of their last four league games by exactly one goal and four of their last seven by the same margin. Interestingly, the margin of their fixtures began to tighten immediately after they put a combined total of 19 goals past Reading, Bristol City then Birmingham in back-to-back matches in mid-January, coincidence? 

The visitors' games have also been balanced on a knife edge recently with a goal or less splitting nine of their last eleven league fixtures. With Ben Brereton Díaz, their main goal threat, sidelined, a contain and counter approach should be expected at Craven Cottage. 

However, there is an unwavering inevitability about the Cottagers games at the minute and I expect them to get the job done. 

From despair to adulation. With his side a man to the good in their penultimate game vs Sheffield United, Reda Khadra had a penalty saved before the hosts snatched a late winner. He did not dwell though. Fast forward three days and it was the former Borussia Dortmund player's free kick that was the difference between Rovers and QPR. 

The dead ball situation derived directly from a short corner, which gives you an idea just how tight the angle was. Too narrow to shoot directly from, surely? Even the most audacious of players would think twice about it, not least because Darragh Lenihan and co had meandered up from central defence and were poised for a cross.  

The German winger had other ideas though, he struck the ball with such ferocity it caught David Marshall off guard.

This capped off a stellar Khadra display. He had twice as many shots as any other player on the pitch (4), 75% of which hit the target, and completed the most dribbles (3). 

I think these last two games for Khadra could represent a turning point in his season. He showed great character to go from zero to hero in a matter of days, which is why I think he is worth a punt in the goalscorer market.

Best of luck if you are backing any of these selections and please remember to gamble responsibly.