Blackburn Rovers vs Portsmouth Predictions

Blackburn Rovers vs Portsmouth Predictions for Wednesday’s Championship fixture. Relegation-threatened Portsmouth visit Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park on Wednesday, aiming to secure vital points in their Championship survival battle against a mid-table Blackburn side. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.

Championship | Jan 15, 2025 at 7.45pm UK at Ewood Park (Blackburn, Lancashire)

Blackburn Rovers vs Portsmouth Predictions

Can Blackburn Pile More Misery on Portsmouth’s Woeful Away Record?

• Portsmouth’s Travel Struggles: Pompey have lost eight of their 13 away matches in the Championship this season, including their last four on the road.
• Blackburn’s Home Resilience: Rovers have built their playoff push on solid home form, securing seven wins at Ewood Park while conceding fewer than a goal per game.
• First-Goal Advantage: Blackburn have won 10 of the 12 Championship matches where they opened the scoring this season, underlining the importance of striking early.

Our Tips

Ewood Park sets the stage for a pivotal Championship clash on Wednesday night as Blackburn Rovers take on Portsmouth in a contest with high stakes for both sides. Blackburn, sitting one point outside the playoff places in seventh, know a win here could catapult them back into the top six and reinvigorate their push for promotion. Meanwhile, Portsmouth are teetering just above the relegation zone, their precarious position owed only to their slightly superior goals scored tally. For Pompey, every match from here on out is a survival fight, but their abysmal away form this season makes their mission in Lancashire a daunting one.

Blackburn come into this fixture buoyed by an FA Cup victory against Middlesbrough, where a clinical strike from Andreas Weimann secured a 1-0 win and ended their five-game winless run. John Eustace’s side have struggled in the league of late, with only two points from their last five outings, but the FA Cup success could serve as the confidence boost they desperately need. Home form has been key to Blackburn’s campaign, with seven league wins at Ewood Park providing the backbone of their playoff push. However, a run of recent disappointments, including a derby defeat to Burnley and a toothless display against Hull City, has left fans demanding a response. The question is, can Blackburn turn their fortunes around against a Portsmouth side that have looked utterly hapless away from home?

Portsmouth’s woes on the road have been well-documented. Just one win from 13 away league matches this season, coupled with four consecutive Championship away defeats, tells the story of a team that simply cannot seem to compete when travelling. Their recent FA Cup loss to League One outfit Wycombe Wanderers only further underlined their fragility. Manager John Mousinho has seen his squad plagued by injuries, leaving him with limited options to change the team’s fortunes. Although the return of captain Marlon Pack from suspension offers a glimmer of hope, the odds are firmly stacked against Pompey pulling off a result in Blackburn’s backyard.

The Best Bet: Blackburn Rovers to Win

Backing Blackburn Rovers to secure all three points at Ewood Park seems the most sensible prediction for this clash, given both teams’ recent form and the significant gulf in quality when Portsmouth are on the road. While Blackburn have faltered in the league lately, their home performances and their ability to grind out wins at Ewood Park remain a cornerstone of their season.

Rovers have shown they are capable of delivering when it matters at home, having already picked up seven wins in front of their own fans this campaign. Their defensive solidity at Ewood Park has been noteworthy, conceding fewer than a goal per game on average in home fixtures. Although their attacking output has not been prolific, the likes of Tyrhys Dolan and Amario Cozier-Duberry offer creative sparks capable of unlocking defences, particularly against a side as porous as Portsmouth.

The visitors, on the other hand, look to be in dire straits. Their inability to compete away from Fratton Park is stark, with only one away win in the league and a miserable tally of 12 goals conceded in their last four road trips. Scoring just once in those games highlights their lack of firepower, and their lengthy injury list exacerbates their problems. Mousinho’s side have struggled to contain teams higher up the table, and given Blackburn’s ability to exploit weaker opposition, Pompey could be in for another long night.

As BettingTips4You.com expert Steve Harrington puts it: “Blackburn’s home strength is a major asset in this fixture. Portsmouth’s dreadful away record makes it difficult to see them coming away with anything. This is a golden opportunity for Blackburn to get back on track.”

With the added motivation of breaking into the playoff positions, Blackburn should have enough in their arsenal to claim a relatively comfortable victory.

Correct Score Prediction: Blackburn Rovers 3-1 Portsmouth

A 3-1 victory for Blackburn feels like the most plausible scoreline. While Rovers have shown defensive resilience at home, Portsmouth may still manage to grab a consolation goal, given Blackburn’s occasional lapses in concentration. However, the home side’s attacking quality and Portsmouth’s defensive vulnerabilities suggest that three goals for the hosts is well within reach.

Blackburn’s recent FA Cup win against Middlesbrough highlighted their ability to create and convert chances, particularly through players like Dolan and Weimann, who could exploit Portsmouth’s weak backline. Rovers have been efficient in games where they take the lead, winning 10 of the 12 league matches in which they have scored first this season. Against a Portsmouth side that has struggled to respond when falling behind, an early goal for Blackburn could set the tone for a convincing performance.

Portsmouth’s attacking options are limited, but they may still find a way to capitalise on a moment of weakness from Blackburn. The return of Marlon Pack adds some creativity in midfield, and Colby Bishop remains a capable presence up front. However, with only one goal scored in their last four away matches, their threat is likely to be minimal.

Ultimately, Blackburn’s quality at both ends of the pitch should prove too much for the visitors, and a 3-1 win seems like a fair reflection of the gap between the two sides.

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