Blackburn Rovers picked up a 2-0 win against Sunderland earlier this season in the Championship. Rovers scored on either side of halftime through Ben Brereton Diaz and Scott Wharton.
Now, Jon Dahl Tomasson takes Blackburn Rovers up against Sunderland for the second time and he is seeking a second win of the campaign against the Black Cats. Blackburn are coming off a 2-0 win in the Championship in round No 23 over Norwich City.
Rovers are third in the standings but five points separate them from second-place Sheffield United. The gap between second and third is growing in the league.
Sunderland are battling for a place in the top six. Tony Mowbray, who managed Blackburn Rovers last season, has the Black Cats up to 13th in the division.
Sunderland are three points off the top six and the final playoff place. The Black Cats are winless in their last two games in the league.
Sunderland drew 1-1 with Hull City last weekend. The Black Cats took 10 points from their last six games in the league, scoring nine goals and conceding five times.
Sunderland have not played well at the Stadium of Light this season, posting a record of 3W-4D-4L.
Blackburn Rovers took nine points from the last six games in the Championship. Rovers were outscored 8-5 across their last six games.
The Ewood Park outfit has been all or nothing on the road this season, with five wins, zero draws, and seven defeats. Rovers are –6 in goals away from home.
Tomasson has three players on the injury list ahead of the trip to the Stadium of Light. Defender Callum Brittain is out with an MCL tear.
Forward Jack Vale will miss the game with a calf strain. Midfielder Sam Barnes will also sit out the game following a knee injury.
Blackburn’s Brereton Diaz has nine goals this season and has accounted for 33% of the team’s goals.
Mowbray has two Sunderland players set to miss the match. Elliot Embleton is suspended for the fixture and will play no part in it.
Striker Ellis Simms, who has six goals for Sunderland, is likely to miss out with a toe injury. Striker Ross Stewart could start for Simms. He has six goals this term and leads the team in scoring.
Blackburn picked up a 2-0 win at home against Sunderland earlier this season and should do the double over the Black Cats on Boxing Day. Rovers should pick up a 1-0 win to improve their chances of finishing in the top six.