Blackburn vs Newcastle prediction: ENGLAND: FA Cup betting tips on match 2024-02-26 19:45.
New Blackburn boss John Eustace still awaits his first official win in charge (D3, L1) after his side could only muster a 1-1 draw against Norwich at Ewood Park on Saturday. Another failure to win leaves Rovers just four points clear of the Championship drop zone, so theyâll perhaps be glad of a break from the relegation battle as they host Newcastle in the FA Cup fifth round.
Rovers actually reached this stage last season and knocked out then Premier League opposition in Leicester (2-1), a feat theyâll hope to replicate this term. Historically, facing Newcastle in FA Cup ties hasnât been kind to Blackburn (W2, L7), although incentivised by the fact they could reach successive FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time since the 1920s, donât rule out another great underdog story.
Newcastleâs five match unbeaten run in all competitions (W3, D2) was brought to an abrupt halt by Arsenal on Saturday night, as the Magpies left North London having been handsomely beaten 4-1. They hit the road again here, interestingly for the third time in the FA Cup this season, but that certainly wonât faze them as rounds three and four saw them win âto nilâ away from home.
Youâd be brave to back against them achieving a similar feat here, not least because Newcastle have advanced from their last eight fifth round ties, most recently in 2019/20. Thereâs also a bit of added incentive for the Magpies here too, as if they win at Ewood Park, it'll be the first time in over 40 years that theyâve won three successive H2Hs against Blackburn.
Players to watch: Jointly topping the FA Cup scoring charts this season with five goals (first round onwards), Blackburnâs Sammie Szmodics has seen all his strikes in this seasonâs competition arrive before half-time. Newcastleâs Joe Willock announced his return from a long injury lay-off with a goal against Arsenal – his fifth successive club goal to arrive after the hour mark.
Hot stat: Four of Blackburnâs last five FA Cup home games saw at least four goals inside 90 minutes.