This week's Friday night Championship action sees Preston travel to Blackburn under the lights. Read on for our Blackburn vs Preston predictions and more.
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Blackburn vs Preston prediction: Shifting fortunes
Key stats
- After a strong run of form, Blackburn have slumped to three consecutive defeats.
- By contrast, Preston are unbeaten in five, and have won their last two.
- Preston haven't lost to Blackburn in five matches.
Correct score prediction: Blackburn 1-1 Preston
Despite Blackburn sitting a whopping eight places above their visitors, we expect Preston to take a point from Ewood Park.
Despite Rovers' league superiority and home advantage, Preston have the form book heavily in their favour. Not only have they been better in general in recent weeks, but they have also only lost one of their last eight trips to Blackburn.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Blackburn favoured by the bookies
- HOME: 21/20 (2.05) – 48.8%
- DRAW: 11/5 (3.20) – 31.30%
- AWAY: 27/10 (3.70) – 27.00%
Blackburn are the bookmakers' expected winner from this clash, despite the form book. Their odds of 21/20 imply a 48.8% chance of victory.
Be sure to take a quick look at our football betting tips page for further predictions on the top games this weekend.
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Most recent H2Hs: Preston in control
Preston have had the upper hand in this Lancashire derby's most recent iterations, with two draws and three wins in their last five meetings. Blackburn's last win over Preston came back in 2021.
England Championship 22/09/24
Preston
Blackburn
England Championship 17/02/24
Preston
Blackburn
England Championship 10/11/23
Blackburn
Preston
England Championship 22/04/23
Preston
Blackburn
England Championship 10/12/22
Blackburn
Preston
Blackburn preview: Could the playoffs slip away?
Things have looked up for Blackburn of late, after over a decade of Championship doldrums. They had a red-hot streak of form in December, that carried into early 2025 that catapulted them into the playoff spots.
However, old weaknesses have reappeared in recent weeks, with back-to-back-to-back defeats coming into this clash against an unforgiving foe.
Blackburn claiming all three points would be a declaration of their seriousness in the race for the Premier League.
Predicted lineup: Pears (GK), Brittain, Batth, Hyam, Sanderson, Forshaw, Buckley, Hedges, Weimann, Dolan, Gueye
England Championship 12/04/25
W
Luton
0
Blackburn
1
England Championship 08/04/25
D
Sheff Wed
2
Blackburn
2
England Championship 04/04/25
L
Middlesbrough
2
Blackburn
0
England Championship 29/03/25
L
Portsmouth
1
Blackburn
0
England Championship 15/03/25
L
Cardiff
2
Blackburn
1
Preston preview: As steady as ever
Preston have been unbelievably consistent in the Championship in the last decade. Since promotion back to the second tier in 2015, the Lilywhites have finished between seventh and fifteenth every season.
Earlier this year, Preston looked like they may just sleepwalk into a relegation battle. But almost reflexively, Paul Heckingbottom's side have picked up form to avert the danger.
With Preston in form, we expect them to name an unchanged side.
Predicted lineup: Woodman (GK), Storey, Gibson, Hughes, Kesler-Hayden, McCann, Thordarson, Meghoma, Frokjaer-Jensen, Osmajic, Greenwood
England Championship 12/04/25
L
Leeds
2
Preston
1
England Championship 08/04/25
D
Cardiff
2
Preston
2
England Championship 05/04/25
D
Stoke
1
Preston
1
England Championship 02/04/25
L
Derby
2
Preston
0
England FA Cup 30/03/25
L
Aston Villa
3
Preston
0