Blackburn Rovers vs Leicester City: prediction, head-to-head stats and probable lineups — 02.05.2026
One of the final round Championship fixtures will take place on Saturday at Ewood Park in Blackburn, where Blackburn Rovers host Leicester City. Not long ago, this match could have been a direct relegation battle, but as the final round approaches, the teams find themselves in very different emotional states: the hosts are safe, while the visitors have officially been relegated to League One.
Match preview
Blackburn managed to escape a perilous situation following the appointment of Michael O'Neill as interim head coach. Back in mid-February, the team was in the relegation zone, but under the Northern Irish specialist, they surged: five wins, five draws, and just four defeats in 14 matches allowed Rovers to secure their Championship status with a game to spare.
The key moment was a 3-1 midweek victory over Sheffield United: the Japanese duo of Yuki Ohashi and Ryoya Morishita each found the net, and Blackburn had all but settled matters before halftime. Now, the team heads into the season finale free of pressure but eager to close out Michael O’Neill’s short but successful chapter on a high — for many fans, he already looks a strong candidate for the permanent job.
Leicester travel to Ewood Park in a completely different mood. The club that stunned England by winning the Premier League just ten years ago has now suffered back-to-back relegations and will start next season in League One. This is only the second time in the club's 142-year history that the Foxes have dropped to the third tier.
The visitors’ season has been tough not only in terms of performances and results, but administratively as well: six points were deducted for EFL regulation breaches, though even without the penalty they would have remained in the drop zone. After a draw with Hull City confirmed their relegation, another stalemate — 1-1 with Millwall — followed, and now for Gary Rowett’s side, the main goal is to avoid ending the campaign with yet another blow to their reputation.
Probable lineups
- Blackburn Rovers: Toth, Atcheson, McLaughlin, Cashin, Alebiosu, Cantwell, Forshaw, Gardner-Hickman, Ribeiro, Morishita, Ohashi.
- Leicester City: Stolarczyk, Choudhury, Souttar, Vestergaard, Thomas, Skipp, James, Monga, Mukasa, De Cordova-Reid, Daka.
Match facts and head-to-head
- Blackburn secured safety in the Championship after a 3-1 win over Sheffield United.
- Leicester are winless in six consecutive league matches, and their last victory could not change the overall disastrous course of the season.
- In the reverse fixture, Blackburn defeated Leicester 2-0 and can now complete a season double over the Foxes.
Prediction
Blackburn come into this clash with momentum and a positive atmosphere: they've secured survival, are playing at home, and will be keen to give Michael O’Neill a fitting send-off after he steadied the ship in such a short time. Ohashi and Morishita, fresh from their decisive display against Sheffield United, should once again be key figures in the hosts’ attack. Leicester still have dangerous names on paper, but the squad's morale after confirmed relegation is a major concern. The Foxes may create chances thanks to individual quality, but based on current form and motivation, the edge lies firmly with Blackburn.
