Blackburn Rovers

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Middlesbrough will seek to finish 2025 strongly at the Riverside as they welcome Blackburn on Friday (15:00 GMT).

Boro lie second, six points behind leaders Coventry and five ahead of third-placed Ipswich after seeing a four-match winning streak under Kim Hellberg ended by a 2-0 defeat at Bristol City last time out.

Valerien Ismael's Blackburn moved six points clear of the drop-zone after picking up their first win in six games with a 2-0 home win over Millwall last Saturday, and have an impressive recent record on the road in Teesside.

• Middlesbrough won their last league game against Blackburn 2-0 in April but haven't won consecutively against Rovers since doing the double over them in 2012/13.

• Blackburn are unbeaten in their past 10 away league games against Middlesbrough (W3 D7), though their last defeat was a Boxing Day meeting in 2012.

• Middlesbrough have won nine of their past 11 home league games on Boxing Day, with both exceptions coming against Sheffield Wednesday (0-1 in 2018, 3-3 in 2024).

• Blackburn's last away win on Boxing Day came against Middlesbrough in the Premier League in 2005. Since then they've failed to win any of their nine Boxing Day away games (D3 L6), losing the past six in a row.

• Middlesbrough have won 11 of their past 16 home league games (D3 L2), with their only two defeats in this time coming against last season's champions Leeds in April and current league leaders Coventry in November.

Blackburn boss Valerien Ismael hopes to negotiate the "carnage" of the festive programme before adding to his squad in the January transfer window.

Rovers have four games in 10 days with an already threadbare squad, starting at Middlesbrough on Boxing Day.

Ismael told BBC Radio Lancashire: "It's really tough this time of year. The only one I like is the Boxing Day game, it's a really nice tradition, always special.

"All the others are too much for every coach, especially this year when you play every two or three days - you just need to manage the period, after that you can ask me what carnage happened.

"We need to bridge the time to January. I hope in January we can add some bodies to the squad. Hopefully we can get through without any big issues."

Outgoings from Ewood Park are possible to aid incomings and Ismael said: "If players aren't happy because they are not playing enough we won't stop them moving if there is an opportunity.

"We want to adjust and want to add some bodies, we have to do that, but on the other hand it means you have to take decisions.

"We are very pleased with the development of a lot of players, with a couple we are still waiting. At some point you have to deliver."

Rovers head to second-placed Boro on Friday (15:00 GMT) but Ismael said they were "ready for the challenge", adding: "They are one of the top teams (but) we know we are able to perform against the top teams."

Ismael admitted it "doesn't look good" for Andri Gudjohnsen's chances of featuring, with the forward suffering a tight hamstring following Saturday's game against Millwall.

But he said keeper Balasz Toth is back in training after a knee injury and could return to the squad over the festive period as competition for Aynsley Pears.

"I'd prefer to have that problem, it's good to have the choice," said Ismael. "I'm really pleased we have two great keepers in that position."

Lindsey Lewis
Blackburn Rovers fan writer

Image source, Shutterstock

Ask any Rovers fan what they wanted the big man to deliver this Christmas (Santa not Andri Gudjohnsen), and the answer would have been three points at home for only the second time this season.

It has been a slog at Ewood these past few months and in a week that saw the Blackburn Rovers Supporters Coalition call for fans to 'Turn Off The Taps' and a boycott of the upcoming home game against Watford, this result was a welcome respite in the ongoing and seemingly never ending saga of the Venky's ownership.

On paper Valerien Ismael's team selection did not fill me with confidence but what a joy to be so utterly wrong.

Matty Litherland had a wonderful debut performance, George Pratt is looking better and better every game and cameos from Nathan Dlamini and Tom Atcheson made me so incredibly happy to see our youngsters grabbing their opportunity with both hands and playing without any fear.

Todd Cantwell was majestic and the return of Sondre Tronstad could be season-defining. We are quite simply just so much better when he is on the pitch.

It was a joy to go ahead early via that man Gudjohnsen and, rather uncharacteristically, I didn't feel particularly nervous throughout the rest of the game.

When the mistake from McNamara and Crocombe led to Yuki Ohashi tapping in for the second just before half-time, I couldn't help but smile and think today, for once, it might just be our day.

Ismael's men must build on this result. Home form like ours is relegation material. Their New Year's resolution for 2026 needs to be to make Ewood Park a fortress again.

Andy Bayes
Sports editor, BBC Radio Lancashire

Image source, Shutterstock

The calendar year of 2025 at Ewood Park won't be remembered particularly fondly, but Blackburn Rovers signed off for the year with a much-needed victory that gives them a little more room for manoeuvre.

In the week leading up to the match head coach Valerien Ismael had been clear. It was time to be ruthless and he wants up to four new faces next month.

His changes were bold. Out went Makhtar Gueye from the 20-man squad. Dion De Neve's recent form meant he was removed from the starting XI and never looked likely to enter the fray from the bench. Sidnei Tavares saw his place taken in midfield and Ryan Alebiosu has signed off for Afcon duty.

In their places, two unexpected and two predicted.

If Sondre Tronstad is fit, he plays the full game unless he's on a booking. It's as simple as that. It looks like this is his final season as a Rovers player and they've got their work cut out to replace him. George Pratt's return added size and balance to the left of the back three.

The wing-back roles were the surprise selections. Harry Pickering starting a home league match for the first time in more than a year on the left. Matty Litherland, a centre-back, a local lad who has been with Rovers since the age of six, got the nod on the right for a full debut.

Litherland had brought two saves from Millwall keeper Max Crocombe within the first nine minutes, the first of which saw Andri Gudjohnsen tap home the rebound.

The second goal was the slice of fortune that Rovers haven't had all year. A lack of communication between Lions full-back Danny McNamara and Crocombe gave Yuki Ohashi his easiest career goal. That felt like the watershed moment - finally something was going right at home.

The second half was largely a non-event. It didn't need to be spectacular. Millwall were marginally better after three half-time changes, but Alex Neil was never going to pull any punches in his summing up. He felt his team deserved exactly what they got.

The player of the match plaudits went to Litherland, who got through 73 minutes before his place was taken by another academy graduate making his league debut in Tom Atcheson. And, to make it the hat-trick of debutants, young Nathan Dlamini was sent on for the last few moments in the forward line.

My standouts were three more senior citizens. Lewis Miller gave another wholehearted display at the back. His appetite to win the ball back in any given circumstance is his biggest asset. He's also kept himself fit this season, which has been enormously important, with other defenders not being able to say the same.

Todd Cantwell and Tronstad were my other big performers. Both play like they trust each other to look after the ball. Both technically excellent, calm and assured.

This match was the first time in 11 weeks that both started the same match. Football can be a simple game sometimes.

If your best players are available, you stand a far greater chance of winning matches. Ismael will be hoping they can both stay fit and avoid another 12-game run where one or both haven't been on the team sheet.

The next few weeks will be intriguing to see how Rovers' 25-man squad will shape up by the end of January.

Who will be added and who will have to drop out or be moved on? Gueye might well have played his final minutes in blue and white.

Pickering, despite his recall, is another who Ismael says he'll be fair to when the window opens. There will have to be other casualties if the head coach gets his way.

But, to end the calendar year with a first clean sheet at home since February and doubling the first-half goals column for the season in one game… this was exactly what everyone associated with the club needed. The players and the head coach deserve all the credit.

Image source, Shutterstock

Blackburn boss Valerien Ismael claimed Rovers's 2-0 home win over Millwall was a 'great day' for the club as he gave three academy products their Championship debuts.

Matty Litherland, Nathan Dlamini and Tom Atcheson all made their bows for injury-hit Blackburn as they won only their second league game of the season at Ewood Park.

Andri Gudjohnsen and Yuki Ohashi scored the goals and Ismael told BBC Radio Lancashire: "It's always important to get the three points and we spoke about that during the week. We know that 2025 has been a tough year at home.

"We've always kept going and we came into this game with a big desire, to play more forward and to be on the front foot.

"We had a little bit of luck with the second goal, but when you put pressure on the back four, you force the mistake.

"The second half was all about staying stable and I though the boys did that perfectly. I never had the feeling that Millwall would come back into the game.

"We gave some debuts to the academy boys, so I think it was a great day for Blackburn Rovers."

Valerien Ismael says managing Blackburn Rovers is the "most challenging experience" of his coaching career so far.

The Frenchman replaced John Eustace at Ewood Park in February, eventually taking them to within one place of the Championship play-offs last season.

This season has seen Rovers struggle with only one home win and they are three points clear of the relegation zone.

They have also had two home games abandoned while leading 1-0 because of a waterlogged pitch.

This week The Blackburn Rovers Supporters Coalition called for the club to be put up for sale by owners Venky's and for fans to boycott games after New Year's Day.

"I have to say this (managing Blackburn) is completely different to what I have experienced - very challenging but it's deeper than just the time I have been here," Ismael told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"It's still Blackburn Rovers, we want to see them successful so it's the same job for me and trying to get the most wins we can.

"I have to say it's the most challenging experience (of my career) so far."

Ismael says he understands the supporters' frustration but not to let that interfere with the performance of his side.

"We have to respect the fans - it was a problem before my time and is more deeper than to just be disappointed," he said.

"The players need support so if you come just make sure you support the players, it's about Blackburn Rovers."

The former West Brom and Watford boss also says he has had direct contact with the club's owners who are based in India.

"We spoke on the phone directly so there is normal communication and I felt the full support which is important.

"We have someone here we can discuss things with but every time we plan something you have to wait a little while for the feedback.

"I can't complain that any of the problems I speak about internally aren't taken seriously - sometimes we want things to happen quickly but you have to accept sometimes the rhythm of things going in some kind of direction."

Blackburn host Millwall in the Championship on Saturday (12:30 GMT).

You can hear more Blackburn Rovers coverage on BBC Sounds.

Blackburn Rovers will look to end a five-match winless streak when they welcome fourth placed Millwall on Saturday (12:30 GMT).

Rovers are just three points above the relegation zone, in danger of dropping into the bottom three should the fail to produce a point and Oxford and Portsmouth prevail.

But the Lions are a hard act to beat, competing to stay within the top six and looking to avoid being handed their first back-to-back defeat of the season.

• Blackburn are unbeaten in their last nine home league games against Millwall (W6 D3), since a 2-0 loss in November 2012 under Henning Berg.

• Millwall have won just one of their last 10 league games against Blackburn (D3 L6), a 1-0 home win in December last year.

• Blackburn have won just one of their 10 home league games this season (D3 L6), with only Sheffield Wednesday (2) picking up fewer home points than Rovers in the Championship (6).

• Millwall lost 3-1 against Hull in their last league game, last losing consecutive Championship matches in December last year (3 in a row).

• Blackburn have only scored 20 goals in the Championship this season, despite having an xG total of 27.8. This is the biggest underperformance (-7.8) by any team in the competition in 2025-26.

Image source, Getty Images

Blackburn Rovers' Championship fixture against Sheffield Wednesday, which was abandoned earlier this month after a downpour at Ewood Park, will be replayed on Tuesday, 3 February.

The original game on 6 December was called off by referee Ruebyn Ricardo after 59 minutes with Rovers leading 1-0 at the time when the pitch was deemed unplayable.

It was the second fixture to be abandoned this season at Ewood Park because of a waterlogged pitch after September's game against Ipswich was called off after 79 minutes.

That match was replayed on 2 December and ended in a 1-1 draw.

Blackburn right-back Ryan Alebiosu says he is "frustrated" after the disappointing defeat at Portsmouth - but excited about heading to the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria.

The 23-year-old could make his international debut at the tournament in Morocco after being selected for Nigeria's final squad.

Alebiosu signed off from Blackburn duty by playing 90 minutes in Saturday's 2-1 loss at Fratton Park.

"Obviously, it's frustrating. 1-0 up and then to lose the game is just frustrating. It's annoying as well," Alebiosu told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"We all wanted the three points, we all tried together, it's just the little details we need to keep working on and I'm sure the next half of the season, we'll get to where we need to get to."

Alebiosu said he is "obviously excited" to play for his country for the first time.

"It's a pleasure. Very much delighted, can't wait to get started and help my nation reach big things," he added.

"My family are delighted. As soon as I got the news, I've never seen them so happy. Great feeling.

"Nigeria came calling and it's something I didn't want to miss. It's a big opportunity, especially at 23 years of age."

If Nigeria make it all the way, Alebiosu could be out of action up to 18 January, with Rovers also having a game against Swansea on 20 January - a potential absence of eight matches.

Andy Bayes
Sports editor, BBC Radio Lancashire

Image source, Getty Images

Of Blackburn's 10 championship defeats from 20 games this season, this one is right up there with the most disappointing.

It may be that the lengthy commute back to Lancashire from Fratton Park influences the thinking a little, but this defeat was down to the fundamental basics of football and incidents that shouldn't happen at this level.

It's a head-scratcher to figure out which error is the worst really.

Rovers gave away two foul throws from two different players. They gave another away on Tuesday against Oxford.

They are regularly shipping crucial goals in a worryingly similar fashion. The head coach identified the individual who has been culpable for those lapses of late.

There was the completely needless concession of a corner with senior players watching the ball roll over the byeline without doing anything to stop it. The resulting corner found a centre-back completely unmarked to head home a winner.

And, deep into stoppage time, there was being caught offside from a pretty straight free-kick when it was the last chance to throw something at Portsmouth.

Apart from one of the foul throws, this all happened in the second half, with Rovers going into the break leading through a fabulous Yuki Ohashi goal.

Fratton Park was quiet at half-time, discontent building. But, for whatever reason, one passage of play where Portsmouth came close to scoring on three occasions changed the whole landscape.

The crowd started to believe, the players did too, and the mentality of Valerien Ismael's team could be called into question.

Surrendering a lead in games is nothing new this season - 16 points have been lost from winning positions. Looking fragile at defending set-plays is nothing new either.

The defeat has left Ismael adamant his squad needs to be strengthened in the January transfer window - and early.

Ismael told me: "We've spoken already with the board. I say as quick as possible. The longer we are waiting, the more problems we will get.

"Every game counts in January. We need new faces, we need to refresh. We need to adjust the squad, to adapt with the shape that we play. The earlier the players come in, the better it will be for us.

"We've got already the list identified. Now it's not in my control. We've made our job now. It's clear that we need players. We will get some and the best is to have them ideally on 1 January, but that is always difficult.

"The week after is the game against Hull City in the FA Cup and I think we can use that game to integrate all of the new players."

Ismael is a straight-talker. He's clear in his mind of what he wants. Now it remains to be seen if those targets can be brought in as early as he wants them.

Rovers have been more of a deadline-day deal team in recent seasons. Seven players have been added permanently or on loan in the past two January windows on or after 31 January.

It's also pretty clear that in order to bring in the new faces he wants, there will be casualties too.

They currently have 24 names in their squad already so there is one spot left but you get the feeling the head coach has made his decision that some existing players won't be part of the plan in 2026.

It's not an impossibility that some arrivals last summer might not see out the season.

Ismael added: "At some point it's all about the performance, the squad, the discipline we see on the pitch. In our assessment we have to be ruthless now.

"We know that we can perform, we know that we need all of our [injured] players and at some point we have to make decisions. If something is not right and we're not happy, then we have to make the change."

This time last year, John Eustace was very keen to add to his squad to maintain a play-off push. Twelve months on, Blackburn's championship status could rest on the success rate of their mid-season window.

Blackburn head coach Valerien Ismael said he was "very angry" with one of his players after the 2-1 defeat at Portsmouth.

Ishmael told BBC Radio Lancashire: "You know when you come here you have to be strong and we managed well in the first half. We had some good situations and I'm really pleased for Yuki [Ohashi] for his reward.

"We actually started the second half well, for 10 minutes, but then conceded from the same mistake again.

"Two weeks ago when it happened we showed the players the video and made specific points, saying we had to make sure we are coming back at full sprint to defend.

"That goal affected us, you could see from the performance, because the players were thinking about that.

"Mistakes happen in football but this is second time, third time with the same player and we're very angry about that.

"It's discipline, concentration, the basics. We have to defend all together and attack all together."

Image source, Opta

A big game at the bottom end of the Championship as Portsmouth host Blackburn Rovers on Saturday (15:00 GMT) with both sides desperate for three points.

Pompey remain in the relegation zone, two points from safety, after they suffered a third defeat in a row at fellow strugglers Swansea on Tuesday.

They'll get another chance to close the gap on those around them when they take on a Blackburn side five points ahead of them in 20th.

Rovers' form has not been the best having not picked up a win in their past six league outings, drawing three on the bounce heading into this.

• Portsmouth are looking to register consecutive league wins against Blackburn for the first time since September 1985.

• Blackburn Rovers have won two of their last seven away league games against Portsmouth (D2 L3).

• Portsmouth have lost three of their last five home league games (W1 D1), only one fewer in their previous 22 combined (W13 D5 L4).

• Blackburn have won five of their last eight away league games (D1 L2), winning three of their last four since losing at Coventry in October.

• Portsmouth's Conor Chaplin has been involved in six goals in his last seven league games against Blackburn (4 goals, 2 assists).

The return of captain Todd Cantwell will see an upturn in results for Blackburn Rovers, says boss Valerien Ismael.

Rovers are currently 20th in the Championship table with just one win from their past six matches as they prepare to visit fellow strugglers Portsmouth on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Cantwell, 27, returned from a two-month absence with a knee injury at the start of December and has appeared as a substitute in the draws with Ipswich Town and Oxford United, scoring a penalty against the U's on Tuesday.

"We've found the way and the shape for this team, and we have the position for Toddy as well, which is really good," Ismael told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"He was on an unbelievable level before his injury. Now he's back we still need to manage him. Every time it's a closed discussion with him - how he feels and how long he thinks he can play."

Ismael also believes handing the club captaincy to Cantwell following the departure of Lewis Travis in August has brought a new dimension from the forward.

"At the beginning of the season when I made the decision, I had a long discussion with him. For almost one hour, we discussed everything," Ismael added.

"I think the responsibility was a big lift for him, he wanted that.

"He came to a point in his life where he wanted to prove to himself that he's able to do that, to change maybe the image that people have got of him [that he's a] soft player and not consistent with a lot of quality, and I think he's shown that he's a leader."

Ismael is hopeful midfielder Sondre Tronstad could return for the trip to Fratton Park while goalkeeper Balazs Toth and midfielder Ryan Hedges could be involved against Millwall on December 20.

"It's embarrassing, they should not be getting games [abandoned] when no other games are getting cancelled.

"I think the fact that they were leading both [matches] compounds what is already a really bad situation."

Aaron Paul and Jobi McAnuff are joined by Peterborough Sports boss Phil Brown to discuss troubling pitch problems for Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park and Southampton making it official with boss Tonda Eckert handing him a contract until 2027.

Listen to the full episode of 72+ and more on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Getty Images

Blackburn Rovers have moved their FA Youth Cup third-round tie against Southampton away from Ewood Park to try to protect the pitch.

Friday's tie will now take place at Chorley's Victory Park ground so work can be carried out on the playing surface at Rovers' home of 135 years.

"The decision has been made to move this fixture away from Ewood Park in order to carry out essential works with the aim to protect the pitch for upcoming Championship fixtures," the club said in a statement., external

Blackburn have had two Championship matches abandoned this season because of waterlogged pitches - last Saturday's with Sheffield Wednesday followed September's game against Ipswich - with Rovers leading 1-0 at the time in both.

The club's head coach, Valerien Ismael, said earlier this week he would be willing to sacrifice part of his transfer budget if it meant the money was reallocated to improving their pitch.

Image source, Rex Features

Blackburn Rovers head coach Valerien Ismael believes Todd Cantwell is his side's "technical leader" after the midfielder's penalty prevented a home defeat to Oxford United.

Cantwell came on at half-time for Taylor Gardner-Hickman and scored the crucial spot kick following Jack Currie's handball in the second half to earn a 1-1 draw at Ewood Park.

"When you play at home, you want to win after 90 minutes," Ismael told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"If you stay 0-0 in the second half, we knew the game would open up and be better for us. When our players come back from injury, we look completely different — more control, composure and creativity.

"Todd [Cantwell] is clearly the technical leader and gives confidence to everyone. Moussa [Baradji] came in strong, and Dion [De Neve] with his energy.

"We're doing the right things. On the other hand, some players are starting to get tired — we've had a lot of games.

"We're looking forward to Saturday because afterwards we'll finally have a week to recover before the Millwall game."

Image source, Getty Images

The FA Cup third round draw was made on Monday evening, with all 24 Championship clubs entering at this stage of the competition.

Ties will take place between Thursday, 8 January and Monday, 12 January.

These are the ties involving Championship clubs:

• Cambridge United v Birmingham City

• Hull City v Blackburn Rovers

• Bristol City v Watford

• Charlton Athletic v Chelsea

• Stoke City v Coventry

• Derby County v Leeds United

• Ipswich Town v Blackpool

• Cheltenham Town v Leicester City

• Fulham v Middlesbrough

• Burnley v Millwall

• Norwich City v Walsall

• MK Dons v Oxford United

• Portsmouth v Arsenal

• Preston North End v Wigan Athletic

• West Ham United v Queens Park Rangers

• Sheffield United v Mansfield Town

• Sheffield Wednesday v Brentford

• Doncaster Rovers v Southampton

• Swansea City v West Bromwich Albion

• Wrexham v Nottingham Forest

You can see the full draw here.

Rob Heckingbottom
Blackburn Rovers fan writer

Image source, Shutterstock

One win, two draws, six losses. This year's home form isn't great viewing on paper, despite the small shoots of unity and improved performances we've seen in recent weeks.

Coming into Saturday, it had the feeling of a 'must-win' game against Sheffield Wednesday - unfortunately, we came away wet and worried.

Having been at both the abandoned Ipswich game (on 20 September) and Sheffield Wednesday fixture this weekend, the comparisons are hard to avoid. In both moments of the season, a win was in our hands - something that could have lifted us, steadied the mood, and changed the trajectory.

Now we're faced with another replay that might carry an all-too-familiar feeling after the brutal ending to the second Ipswich match.

The Sheffield Wednesday match itself didn't offer much in terms of excitement - maybe in part due to the weather - but there was one bright moment thanks to a well-worked goal in the 33rd minute, with Ryoya Morishita sliding a perfect ball across for Yuki Ohashi to finish.

That gave us the lead, and for a while it felt like the day might finally belong to us. But before the hour mark, the rain won. The pitch became unplayable, and the referee abandoned the game after 59 minutes with Rovers still 1-0 up.

To add to the blow, all the yellow cards stand, despite the game being abandoned -Adam Forshaw, Ryan Alebiosu and George Pratt were all booked before half-time - and seeing Forshaw come off injured just before the break was another hit, given his recent performances and an already-stretched squad.

The weather on Saturday wasn't the worst we've seen at Ewood, and other clubs around us managed to get their games played. But it does make you wonder, what does this mean for future home fixtures as winter properly settles in?

So, what's next? If we can get through 90 minutes against Oxford United on Tuesday, can we finally put three home points on the board?

Right now, it feels like every time we get close, something - be it the weather, injuries, or late drama - snatches it away. And as fans, all we want is that feeling of walking out of Ewood with a win.

But with a yellow weather warning hanging over Tuesday and the prospect of yet another waterlogged pitch, the storm clouds aren't just metaphorical, they're real.

So, let's hold tight (onto our hats and coats).