Blackburnvs.Portsmouth

The hosts are one point adrift of the playoffs in seventh position, while Pompey are sitting just outside the bottom three on goals scored.

Match preview

Blackburn have endured a poor run of league form ever since their run of six consecutive Championship victories was ended by a 1-0 defeat to Millwall.

Rovers went on to play out draws with Sunderland and Leeds United, either side of a 1-0 home defeat against Hull City, before they suffered another narrow loss in their most recent outing at Ewood Park against rivals Burnley.

However, John Eustace's side produced the perfect response to their derby loss in Saturday's FA Cup tie with fellow Championship side Middlesbrough, with Andreas Weimann scoring the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory to end Blackburn's five-game winless run.

After sealing their place in the fourth round, Blackburn will turn their focus to Wednesday's Championship fixture, knowing that a win will be enough to move them into the top six.

Rovers have not faced Portsmouth since February, but they will take confidence from their head-to-head record, having won four of their previous five meetings with the South Coast side.

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

In contrast to their hosts, Portsmouth experienced a forgettable outing in the FA Cup third round, falling to a 2-0 defeat in their away meeting with League One outfit Wycombe Wanderers.

While they would have been disappointed with their early exit, Pompey will be able to turn their full focus to their Championship survival bid for the remainder of the 2024-25 campaign.

After winning five, drawing eight and losing 11 league matches, Portsmouth are sitting in 21st place in the Championship table, with only goals scored keeping them above Hull City in 22nd position.

Pompey know they have to improve on their travels if they are to alleviate their relegation fears, having won just one of their 13 away games in the second tier this season (D4, L8).

In fact, John Mousinho's side have lost six of their previous eight away league games, including defeats in each of their last four Championship road trips.

Pompey's hopes of claiming maximum points on Wednesday may be tempered by the fact they have not beaten Blackburn since they recorded a 3-2 Premier League home win in November 2008, while their most recent success at Ewood Park took place in September 2007 when they claimed a narrow 1-0 victory.

Blackburn Rovers Championship form:

W

L

D

L

D

L

Blackburn Rovers form (all competitions):

L

D

L

D

L

W

Portsmouth Championship form:

L

W

L

L

W

L

Portsmouth form (all competitions):

W

L

L

W

L

L

Team News

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

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

Experienced midfielder Adam Forshaw is set to feature among the substitutes after recently arriving on a free transfer following the termination of his Plymouth Argyle contract.

As for Portsmouth, they still have to cope without the services of Mark O'Mahony, Kusini Yengi, Regan Poole, Conor Shaughnessy, Ibane Bowat and Jacob Farrell.

Pompey captain Marlon Pack is available for selection, having completed his one-match ban for the red card he received in the 1-0 defeat to Sunderland.

Midfielder Isaac Hayden is set to feature in the matchday squad after arriving on loan from Newcastle United last week.

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

We say: Blackburn Rovers 3-1 Portsmouth

Written by

Ben Sully

Previews by email