Relegation Spotlight: Blackburn

Position: 15th
Points: 40
Goal Diff: -14
Final Day Opponents: Wolves (A)
Best odds to be relegated: 12/1 - PaddyPower
Best Odds to stay up: 1/16 - StanJames

Season Review:
To most impartial observers Rovers were ticking along nicely in mid-table when Sam Allardyce was sacked in December. They were two points off 7th spot when Big Sam took the bullet. Now, they lie eleven points off seventh and, more importantly, just one point above Wigan in 19th.

Season Highlight:
Actually quite tricky this. A 3-1 win over Liverpool in January stands out as the only win over any of the top six. Possibly a key moment in convincing the new owners that Steve Kean really was their man. Sceptics might suggest that this negates the result as a highlight.

Season Lowlight:
The sacking of Sam Allardyce on December 13th. After January 23rd the only league win for the rest of the season has been a 1-0 home triumph over Bolton. On the pitch it’s only fair to say that the worst scoreline did come under Allardyce - a 7-1 trouncing at Old Trafford is still the main reason why Berbatov remains at the top of the goalscoring chart.

Survival Hopes:
The one point gained against Man United at Ewood Park last weekend suddenly looks vital. With 40 points and a much better goal difference than all the other sides around them, Blackburn are poised to continue in the top flight come August. If this happens then the over-riding emotion should be relief that the season doesn’t run into June.

Verdict:
Will be fine. Somehow. The nine points gained from the last 13 league games is not the reason. Whether Venky’s stick with Steve Kean and back him with significant transfer funds in the summer is a different matter.