Such has been Blackburn’s level of performance over recent weeks that there was an air of frustration when they were only level with struggling Barnsley at half time of Wednesday night’s fixture at Ewood Park.
Nevertheless, Ben Brereton Diaz stepped up with yet another decisive goal, the Chile international netting his 20th league strike of the campaign to extend Blackburn’s remarkable upturn in results.
Tony Mowbray’s team now have 28 points from a possible 33 since October 23, and avoiding defeat on Sunday will see them overtake second-placed Fulham.
With the Cottagers possessing games in hand, Mowbray will not place too much focus on moving higher in the standings, but another positive result would break up the long-time status quo in the automatic promotion spots.
Rovers also head into this contest with the best home record in the division, collecting 30 points from their 13 fixtures at Ewood Park.
However, they face opponents in Huddersfield who are on their best run of the season, the Terriers putting together a five-game unbeaten streak.
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A total of 11 points have come during that period, significantly helped by three successive wins, the latest coming at Nottingham Forest on Thursday evening.
Duane Holmes’s 30th-minute effort proved to be the difference at the City Ground, moving Huddersfield into the playoff spots and five points clear of their opponents on the night.
Carlos Corberan will not be getting carried away, with Huddersfield known for their inconsistency under his guidance, but keeping their first clean sheet since November 20 has provided the backline with a confidence boost ahead of the most daunting trip in the division
