Stoke City and Blackburn Rovers square off on Saturday afternoon with just two points separating the clubs in the Championship standings.
While the Potters are without a win in three matches, Blackburn's dramatic victory over Rotherham United in midweek was their first success in four attempts.
Match preview
Blackburn have endured somewhat of a mixed campaign, combining having the best attacking record in the division for much of the season with inconsistent results.
However, their 97th-minute winner against Rotherham in midweek has the potential to act as the catalyst for an improved run during the Christmas period as they bid to improve on 11th spot.
Adam Armstrong ended a three-game goalless streak in that contest, taking his tally to 15 for the campaign, but Liverpool loanee Harvey Elliott is proving to be one of the signings of the summer.
The 17-year-old has contributed a goal or assist in four of his last five appearances, form which will not have gone unnoticed back at Anfield.
While Rovers are back to within four points of the playoffs, they can ill-afford another negative result against opponents who are rivals for a place in the top six.
With just three goals being scored in half a dozen fixtures, Stoke have done well to remain within a victory of reclaiming a place in the playoffs.
However, Michael O'Neill will be increasingly concerned that his side will struggle to cope with the long-term absence of Tyrese Campbell, who is out for the season with a knee injury.
The return of Steven Fletcher is a big plus for the Potters, but the veteran Scot, Sam Vokes, Jacob Brown and Lee Gregory have just six goals between them this season.
Regardless of the fact that they have kept five clean sheets in half a dozen outings, the Staffordshire outfit will not achieve promotion without considerable progress being made in the final third.
Stoke City Championship form: DWWLDD
Blackburn Rovers Championship form: WWDLLW
Team News
Fletcher will almost certainly return to the Stoke attack in a move which could see Brown move out to the right flank.
Jordan Thompson should also earn a recall in midfield, but O'Neill may limit himself to just two changes due to the extra day of recovery.
Having made two substitute appearances over the past week, Stewart Downing could be handed his first start in a Blackburn shirt.
Amari'i Bell and Tyrhys Dolan are also options for Tony Mowbray as he contemplates introducing some fresh legs into his side.
Stoke City possible starting lineup:
Bursik; Collins, Souttar, Chester, Fox; Thompson, Cousins; Brown, Powell, McClean; Fletcher
Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:
Kaminski; Nyambe, Lenihan, Ayala, Bell; Downing, Johnson, Rothwell; Elliott, Armstrong, Gallagher
We say: Stoke City 1-2 Blackburn Rovers
With Stoke struggling to score goals, it heaps more pressure on their backline to keep out Armstrong and co. Although this will almost certainly be a competitive encounter, we expect the the extra firepower in the Rovers attack to prove decisive.
