Championship | Gameweek 16

Jan 15, 2025 at 7.45pm UK

Ewood Park (Blackburn, Lancashire)

Blackburn vs Portsmouth

Match preview

Blackburn have endured a poor run of form since a run of six consecutive Championship victories came to an end with a 1-0 defeat at Millwall.

Rovers then drew with Sunderland and Leeds United, both of which came on the back of a 1-0 home defeat to Hull City, before suffering another narrow defeat at Ewood Park against rivals Burnley in their most recent outing.

However, John Eustace's men provided the perfect response to the derby defeat in Saturday's FA Cup tie against fellow Championship side Middlesbrough, with Andreas Weimann scoring the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory that ended Blackburn's five-match winless run.

Having booked their place in the fourth round, Blackburn will now turn their attention to Wednesday's Championship clash, knowing that a win will be enough to move them into the top six.

Rovers haven't faced Portsmouth since February 2018, but they will take confidence from their head-to-head record, having won four of their last five meetings with the south coast outfit.

The first goal could be crucial in Blackburn's quest for all three points, especially as they have won 10 of their 12 league games this term when they have opened the scoring (W10, D2).

In contrast to their hosts, Portsmouth endured a forgettable FA Cup third-round tie, going down 2-0 away to League One Wycombe Wanderers.

While they will have been disappointed with their early exit, Pompey can now turn their full attention to their Championship survival bid for the remainder of the 2024-25 season.

Five wins, eight draws and 11 defeats have left Portsmouth 21st in the Championship table, with only goals scored keeping them above Hull City in 22nd.

Pompey know they need to improve their away form if they are to allay their relegation fears, having won just one of their 13 second-tier games this season (D4, L8).

Indeed, John Mousinho's men have lost six of their last eight league games away from home, including defeats on each of their last four Championship trips.

Pompey's hopes of picking up maximum points on Wednesday may be tempered by the fact that they have not beaten Blackburn since a 3-2 home win in the Premier League in November 2008, while their last success at Ewood Park was a narrow 1-0 victory in September 2007.

Recent Performance

Blackburn Rovers Championship form:WLDLDL

Blackburn Rovers form (all competitions):LDLDLW

Portsmouth Championship form:LWLLWL

Portsmouth form (all competitions):WLLWLL

Team News

Blackburn will be without the injured quartet of Hayden Carter, Yuki Ohashi, Lewis Travis and Arnor Sigurdsson.

Ryan Hedges and Amario Cozier-Duberry could return to the matchday squad after missing the cup win over Middlesbrough through illness.

Veteran midfielder Adam Forshaw is likely to be among the substitutes, having recently arrived on a free transfer following the termination of his contract with Plymouth Argyle.

Portsmouth will be without the services of Mark O'Mahony, Kusini Yengi, Regan Poole, Conor Shaughnessy, Ibane Bowat and Jacob Farrell.

Pompey captain Marlon Pack is available after serving a one-match ban for his red card in the 1-0 defeat at Sunderland.

Midfielder Isaac Hayden is in contention for a place in the matchday squad after joining on loan from Newcastle United last week.

Possible starting lineup

Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:

Pears; Brittain, Hyam, Batth, Beck; Buckley, Tronstad; Cozier-Duberry, Cantwell, Dolan; Gueye

Portsmouth possible starting lineup:

Schmid; Swanson, Towler, Atkinson, Ogilvie; Potts, Dozzell; Ritchie, Lang, Murphy; Bishop