Promotion-chasing East Lancashire rivals Burnley and Blackburn Rovers meet for the first time in five years this weekend with top spot in the Championship on the line.
Rovers travel to Turf Moor two points behind their local rivals, who have impressed under new manager Vincent Kompany.
Ahead of the long-awaited derby, The Sportsman picks out five interesting facts…
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Is East Lancs Claret And Blue?
Burnley lead the overall head–to-head record between the two historic rivals with 42 wins to Blackburn’s 41. 19 draws takes the number of fixtures to 102.
The Clarets have dominated the fixture over the last 10 years, winning the last four ties, remaining unbeaten in seven, dating back to December 2, 2012.
In fact, Rovers haven’t beaten Burnley in the second tier of English football since the 2000/2001 season, during which they completed the double with an aggregate score of 7-0.
Never Finished First And Second In History
1885 was the first season both Burnley and Blackburn played in the Football League at the same time but, despite that, the clubs have never finished first and second in the same division in that time.
Burnley have won seven league titles in their history, being crowned English champions twice. Rovers, on the other hand, have five league titles to their name, three of which were England’s top prize - most notably their 1994/1995 Premier League win.
Top Flight Squads 2009/10
The East Lancashire rivals haven’t played in the Premier League together since the 2009/2010 season when the likes of Morten Gamst Pedersen, David Dunn, Graham Alexander and Robbie Blake were squaring off.
Blackburn won 3-2 at Ewood Park and managed a 1-0 away win at Turf Moor that season, finishing 10th. Rovers legend Dunn scored in both fixtures to cement his hero status at the club.
Burnley would go on to be relegated, finishing 18th with 30 points.
Notable East Lancashire Derby Records
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Most appearances: 19 - Jerry Dawson (Burnley) Ronnie Clayton (Blackburn)
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Most goals: 12 - Jack Southworth (Blackburn)
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Highest attendance: 53,892 (October 8, 1960)
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Highest scoring game: Blackburn 8-3 Burnley (November 9, 1929)
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Most consecutive wins: 6 - Blackburn Rovers (November 1888-November 1890)
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Longest undefeated run: 11 - Blackburn Rovers (December 1982-September 2013)
2022 Championship Season Best Players
Burnley’s Josh Brownhill is the best performing player this season between both clubs, notching up an average rating of 7.40 on WhoScored.com. In 19 appearances, the midfielder has scored five league goals and provided four assists.
Rovers’ top man is Spanish defender Daniel Ayala, with a rating of 7.03. Top scorer Ben Brereton Diaz (9) sits in third for Blackburn with 6.89.
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