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Blackburn v Preston
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Kick Off: Friday 31st January at 20:00
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Competition: EFL Championship
It’s another derby to look forward to, this time the Lancashire derby between Blackburn Rovers and Preston North End.
As you would expect, there is no love lost between the two clubs, which makes it an interesting decision to hold the game on a Friday night.
Blackburn sit 2 points outside the play-off positions in 7th, whilst Preston are sitting comfortably in the mid table in 15th.
⭐ Blackburn v Preston Best Bet
Preston have only won 2 games away from home in the Championship this season, but come into this game as the form side, after back-to-back wins at home to Middlesborough and away to Watford, 2 top 10 sides.
Despite there being 8 places between these 2 teams, only 5 points separate them and they are side by side in the xG table, which suggests Blackburn have picked up 3 more points than they have deserved.
Blackburn have lost 4 of their last 5 games, and the pressure is very much on them here as the home side try to regain their play-off spot.
👕 Blackburn v Preston Predicted XI
🔍 Blackburn v Preston Players to Watch
🔵 Makhtar Gueye
The Senegal striker averages 3.1 fouls per 90 this season, covering this foul line on 6 of his 13 starts. In 6 of the other 7, he made 2 fouls, so this bet should go close.
He committed 3 fouls in both games against the other Lancashire rivals Burnley, culminating in him getting sent off in 1 of the games.
The downside is that he very rarely plays 90 minutes, only 3 times this season, but again that hasn’t stopped him covering this bet almost 50% of the time when starting.
⚪ Milutin Osmajic
Preston attacker Osmajic was banned for 8 games following the reverse fixture earlier in the season, after biting Blackburn full back Owen Beck.
Despite that, he has already registered 6 goals and 3 assists in 21 Championship appearances this season. Last season he managed a combined 10 goals and assists across 38 appearances, so he certainly seems to have stepped up.
He has been in and out of the starting line-up but has started the last 4, providing 4 goals and 1 assist, so he will surely be given the chance to redeem himself here.
📂 Blackburn v Preston Cheat Sheet
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Our Mega Acca and Early Kick-Off Tips are worth a browse for those after EFL Predictions.
💻 Blackburn v Preston Form and Tactics
John Eustace is doing a really good job at Rovers. Having steered them to safety last season, he now has them performing above all pre-season expectations with a realistic chance of the play-offs to aim for.
Their current form however is poor, due to a raft of injuries to key players. They have lost 3 on the spin, and have 7 players out injured, but were boosted by the return from the bench of skipper Lewis Travis on Saturday. Rovers are a strong side who put their foot in well and are difficult to peg back once they get in front, only dropping 4 points from winning positions this season.
Preston have quietly moved themselves away from the relegation zone under Paul Heckingbottom, and are now closer to the play-offs than the bottom 3 in terms of points.
They’re another side who are tough to beat, with only the top 5 having lost fewer games this season. They have conceded the most fouls in the Championship and consequently picked up the most yellow cards. They often play on the counter-attack and attack down the wings to get the ball into the box.
🏁 Blackburn v Preston Ref Watch
- Referee: Joshua Smith
- Smith has refereed 18 games in the Championship this season, more than any other referee.
- He has refereed each of these sides twice this season. Preston have won each of those games 1-0, picking up 3 and 4 cards in the process.
| Average Cards (Y / R) | 4.44 / 0.06 |
| Fouls Given | 22.00 |
| Penalties | 0.28 |
📺 How to Watch Blackburn v Preston in the Championship
📅 When is Blackburn v Preston? / Friday, 31 January 2025, 20:00
🏟 Where is Blackburn v Preston? / Ewood Park (Blackburn)
📺 What TV Channel is Blackburn v Preston on? / Sky Sports Main Event
🟨 …And who is the referee for Blackburn v Preston / Joshua Smith 🏴
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* I recommend waiting for confirmed team line-ups before placing any bets.
* All odds displayed correct at the time of publishing.
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