The intense rivalry between Blackburn Rovers and Preston North End is set to reignite as the teams face off at Ewood Park on Friday night. This Championship encounter carries significant weight for both clubs, particularly for Blackburn, who are desperate to halt their recent slump after suffering three consecutive league losses.
Managed by John Eustace, Blackburn Rovers find themselves situated seventh on the league table but are struggling after their latest defeat—a 2-1 loss against Bristol City. "We know they are going to be a really difficult task, a really difficult team to play against," stated Eustace, underlining the challenge presented by their local rivals.
Conversely, Preston North End, led by manager Paul Heckingbottom, are riding high, seeking their third consecutive win following victories over Watford and Middlesbrough, both by 2-1 margins. The latest triumph pushed them to 15th place, setting a competitive tone for Friday’s match, which will kick off at 8 pm GMT.
Fans can catch the action live on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football, and Sky Sports Ultra HDR. For those traveling abroad, accessing the match might require the use of a virtual private network (VPN) to bypass geographical restrictions.
Both teams face notable injury challenges as they prepare for the encounter. Blackburn will be without several key players, including Hayden Carter, Harry Pickering, and Sondre Tronstad due to injury. Todd Cantwell is set to return to the squad, but Eustace emphasized the need for the available players to rise to the occasion. "There is going to be 20,000 at Ewood and we want to do them proud," he remarked, reflecting on the high stakes and the passionate fan environment.
Preston, on the other hand, will be missing captain Ben Whiteman, who is sidelined for several months due to an ankle injury sustained during training. The absence of Whiteman is significant, as he has been instrumental for the team. Jayden Meghoma and Robbie Brady are also nursing minor injuries but are expected to feature.
The lineups for both teams have seen changes; Eustace has opted to include Owen Beck and Lewis Travis, with previous starters Adam Forshaw and Dion Sanderson now on the bench. For Preston, Ryan Ledson and Emil Riis have been brought back to the starting XI, with Stefan Thordarson and Milutin Osmajic dropping to reserve roles. The addition of 18-year-old striker Felipe Rodriguez-Gentile to the bench also raises intriguing possibilities for Heckingbottom's side.
Historically, Blackburn has struggled against Preston, failing to win any of their past five league meetings, including two losses at Ewood Park. Eustace noted the challenging record but expressed optimism: "The group of players have been performing all season and have not let anyone down. I am sure they won't be the case again on Friday." His comments reflect both the pressure and motivation surrounding this local derby.
Compounding the rivalry's intensity, the match marks another chapter as both teams vie for valuable points amid the competitive backdrop of the Championship. The stakes are higher than ever, with several clubs fighting for promotion to the Premier League, including the likes of Norwich City and Leeds United, adding to the overall competitive spirit and drive among teams.
Despite Blackburn’s recent form, the need to reclaim their status against cross-county rivals is palpable. Fans and players alike are ready for what promises to be an exhilarating encounter. Eustace emphasized the excitement surrounding the fixture: "Friday night, it’s a TV game, it’s a local derby. We’ll have sold out; it’ll be a good atmosphere. So everything’s geared up for it to be really good game." The anticipation is growing as the clock counts down to kick-off at Ewood Park.