Southampton meet Blackburn in the Championship following their gut-wrenching defeat against Ipswich Town on Easter Monday.
A thriller played out at Portman Road as Ipswich ran out 3-2 winners over promotion rivals Southampton.
Russell Martin‘s men knew it was a must-win match for the Saints to keep their automatic promotion hopes alive.
So when they established a 2-1 lead in the match through Che Adams and Adam Armstrong, the visitors thought they were right back in the race.
Unfortunately, Nathan Broadhead equalised before Jeremy Sarmiento scored a last-minute winner to break Southampton’s hearts and effectively end their chances of finishing in the top two.
Despite boasting two games in hand, Martin’s troops are currently 12 points adrift of second place Leeds United.
The Saints are relying on other teams dropping points, but they must take care of their own business, something they’ve failed to do recently.
Having dropped points at home to Middlesbrough and lost against Ipswich, Southampton must bounce back by beating Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.
Rovers are embroiled in a scrap to avoid relegation, with five points separating them from Huddersfield Town in 22nd position.
It means that John Eustace’s side will put up a huge challenge against the promotion-chasers, something that Sky Sports pundit David Prutton has factored into his score prediction.
With Southampton on a quest to get back to winning ways, Prutton doesn’t think they will and has predicted the result to be 1-1.
Russell Martin to make changes vs Blackburn Rovers
Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu is one player who could make way against Blackburn, with Joe Lumley in line to replace him.
The former Manchester City player has come under the microscope for his poor performances this term and was at fault for Town’s first goal on Monday, conceding at his near post to a Leif Davis strike.
Martin must also reinstate Kyle Walker-Peters to the starting XI. He made a mistake taking him out against Ipswich as James Bree was sent off while Jack Stephens was played out of a position at left-back.
Walker-Peters is arguably the best-attacking full-back in the Championship, so to not start him in a hugely important game was bizarre.
The Saints boss explained that he was dropped for his subpar performance against Boro, however, he has to start – and will – against Rovers.
Martin could also freshen up his midfield by giving Joe Rothwell a rare start, with the 29-year-old unfortunate to play just eight minutes in their last two games.
With Southampton’s place cemented in the play-offs and only a slim chance of going up automatically, changes to the starting XI are a must.