Preston North End
Blackburn Rovers
>Preston North End vs Blackburn Rovers Prediction & Betting Tips – 05/09/2026
The Lancashire derby arrives at Deepdale on 9 May 2026 with both sides carrying contrasting burdens. Preston North End, rooted to the bottom of the Championship after losing all four league fixtures, are desperate for any kind of spark. Blackburn Rovers sit more comfortably in mid-table but travel with a threadbare defence and the memory of a goalless draw with ten men still fresh. Local bragging rights and, for the hosts, survival momentum make this early-season rivalry fixture one of the weekend's most compelling Championship encounters.
Match Analysis
Blackburn Rovers arrive at Deepdale as the value pick at 2.90, backed by five unbeaten meetings against Preston including three consecutive wins, with the most recent H2H at this ground ending 1-2 to Rovers in November 2025.
- Unbeaten in last 5 meetings against Preston, including 3 consecutive derby victories.
- 3 consecutive wins over Preston at Deepdale give Rovers a decisive psychological edge.
- Preston have conceded 2.3 goals per game this season, the worst defensive record in the Championship.
- Preston are bottom of the table with zero points from four games and a five-match losing streak.
Preston North End, priced at 2.40, face a desperate must-win scenario at Deepdale after losing all four Championship fixtures. New signings Kenny and Gibbs are expected on the bench, while key absentees McCann, Brady, Evans, and Cunningham compound the home side's misery.
- Preston have no clean sheet in their last 21 competitive matches, a historic defensive collapse.
- 4 defeats from 4 league games, including a 3-1 home loss to Bristol City last time out.
- Seven first-team players absent, leaving Preston severely depleted across all positions.
Key point: Blackburn's makeshift defence, reduced to one natural centre-back, makes the draw a live outcome; the double chance covering draw or away suits 3.10 as a complementary hedge.
Form & Statistics: Preston North End vs Blackburn Rovers
Preston North End
Recent form
Season statistics (5)
Blackburn Rovers
Recent form
Season statistics (5)
Preston North End vs Blackburn Rovers: Head-to-Head
Average statistics (recent meetings)
Lineups: Preston North End vs Blackburn Rovers
Preston North End
Starters
- 1 Daniel Iversen
- 2 Odel Offiah
- 3 Liam Lindsay
- 4 Lewis Gibson
- 5 Harry Clarke
- 6 Caleb Wiley
- 7 Jordan Thompson
- 8 Léo Leroy
- 9 Alfie Devine
- 10 Delano Burgzorg
Bench
- Johnny Kenny
- Liam Gibbs
Absent
- Theo Carroll (injury)
- Jamal Piaras Lewis (injury)
- Callum Lang (injury)
- Ali McCann (Ankle injury)
- Robbie Brady (Calf surgery (long-term))
- Ched Evans (Serious medical condition (extended period))
- Greg Cunningham (Season-ending injury)
Blackburn Rovers
Starters
- 1 Ryan Alebiosu
- 2 Michael Decandia
- 3 Sean McLoughlin
- 4 Yuri Ribeiro
- 5 Sam Morsy
- 6 Kristi Montgomery
- 7 Ryoya Morishita
- 8 Todd Cantwell
- 9 Oladapo Afolayan
- 10 Andri Gudjohnsen
Absent
- Hayden Carter (injury)
- John Fleck (injury)
- Lewis Miller (injury)
- Aynsley Pears (injury)
- Scott Wharton (injury)
- Augustus Kargbo (injury)
- Tom Atcheson (Red card suspension)
- Mathias Jørgensen (Hamstring injury (mid-September return))
- Yuki Ohashi (Hamstring injury (mid-September return))
- Harry Pickering (Injury (will miss fixture))
- Gady Beyuku (Lack of match fitness (new signing))
Medium confidence
A 5-3-2 against a 4-5-1 shapes this Lancashire derby into a contest of width versus compactness. Preston's wing-backs will be central to stretching Blackburn's midfield five, while Todd Cantwell carries the creative burden for the visitors in a system that invites him to operate between the lines.
Both lineups carry probable status from a single source, so a degree of caution is warranted before kickoff. That said, the tactical picture is clear enough: Rovers will look to absorb pressure and hit on the counter, whereas Preston's three-man defence offers the platform to commit bodies forward in what promises to be a tightly contested fixture.
Our Verdict
Preston's five consecutive defeats and rock-bottom standing make them a side to oppose. Blackburn, despite their defensive injury concerns, remain unbeaten in five meetings with their Lancashire rivals, winning the last three. The draw or away double chance represents the strongest angle here, with the away win at 2.90 offering genuine value. Under 2.5 goals at 1.70 also appeals, given Blackburn's goalless draw last time out and the tactical disruption caused by their centre-back shortage. Our prediction: X2, Draw or Away. Odds correct at time of publication.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best bet for Preston North End vs Blackburn Rovers?
The draw or away double chance favours Blackburn Rovers, reflected in the 2.90 for the outright Rovers win. Preston are bottom of the Championship without a point, conceding at an alarming rate, while Blackburn remain unbeaten in five meetings. A makeshift Rovers backline introduces doubt, but the X2 at 58% confidence is the most compelling wager on offer.
What time does Preston North End vs Blackburn Rovers kick off?
This Lancashire Derby kicks off at 11:30 UTC on Saturday, 5th September 2026, which translates to 12:30 BST for supporters in the United Kingdom. The fixture takes place at Deepdale, Preston North End's home ground, situated in Preston, Lancashire, where the home side will be desperate to register their first points of the Championship season.
Where can I watch Preston North End vs Blackburn Rovers on TV?
Broadcast arrangements for Championship fixtures vary depending on your territory. In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports and Sky Sports Football typically hold the rights to selected Championship matches. Supporters are advised to check their local listings and relevant streaming platforms for confirmation of live coverage of this particular fixture.
What is Preston North End's recent record against Blackburn Rovers?
Preston's recent head-to-head record against Blackburn makes for grim reading for the home faithful. Blackburn are unbeaten in the last five meetings between the two sides, claiming three consecutive victories in that run. Most tellingly, their most recent encounter at Deepdale, in November 2025, ended in a 1-2 win for Rovers, underlining their dominance in this fixture.