Given their form at the turn of the year, there was an assumption that Blackburn would be the team to drop out of the promotion race, a consequence of five defeats coming in seven matches.
Since a 4-0 reverse at Rotherham United, however, Blackburn have put together an eight-game unbeaten streak in the second tier, following four successive draws with four victories in a row.
Sixteen points from eight matches is arguably the bare minimum required to remain in the top six, yet it is an impressive feat which has been accompanied by just four goals being conceded.
Having emerged from fixtures where they were deemed to be the favourites, Jon Dahl Tomasson’s side backed their form up with a 1-0 triumph over second-placed Sheffield United last time out, although they still sit nine points adrift of the automatic promotion places.
Still, it was an important win in the context of their season, particularly when they face a trip to the Blades in the FA Cup quarter-finals before the international break.
Meanwhile, Stoke are attempting to end a disappointing season on some sort of a high, even though the perception is that they are simply playing for pride.
As well as sitting 11 points clear of the relegation zone, the Potters are 12 points adrift of the playoffs, and Alex Neil will already be casting one eye to the make-up of his squad for 2023-24.
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Nevertheless, that is not to say that Stoke and Neil will not feel the need to keep churning out results having not posted back-to-back victories in the second tier since October.
On a positive note, however, nine points have been collected from five matches, Stoke’s most eye-catching result of the season coming last time out as Neil’s side defeated his former club Sunderland by a 5-1 scoreline at the Stadium of Light.
Although Stoke’s issues have been at the bet365 Stadium this campaign, they have collected seven points from their most recent four encounters on familiar territory.
