Blackburn Rovers vs Portsmouth: prediction, head-to-head and probable lineups – March 7, 2026
One of the key fixtures of the upcoming Championship round will be played on Saturday at Ewood Park in Rochdale, where Blackburn Rovers host Portsmouth. Here’s a bet suggestion for the outcome of this clash, factoring in the fierce battle to avoid relegation.
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Match preview
Michael O’Neill’s side come into this home encounter after a run of inconsistent results: two wins in their opening games were followed by four defeats in their last five away fixtures. In the cup, motivation is boosted by the fact that Blackburn have won all four of their previous home meetings against Portsmouth, including the last two by a convincing 3-0 scoreline. The club traditionally looks more confident at home, but they still remain the second-worst home side in the league this season.
The squad situation is made tougher by significant absences: Sondre Tronstad is sidelined, along with several other players including Aynsley Pears, Lewis Miller, and Ryan Hedges. Hayden Carter’s participation is in doubt, limiting rotation options further. Nevertheless, experienced leaders and the return of Scott Wharton and Sidnei Tavares could bring some much-needed stability to the midfield and defense.
Portsmouth are facing similar challenges: four defeats in their last six matches, including home losses to Wrexham and Hull City, highlight defensive frailties and a reliance on focus in key moments. The club is hoping to break their poor run and claim their first win at Ewood Park in a long time, following a home victory in December (2-1). Recent head-to-heads offer the side a slight psychological boost.
Injuries remain the main concern: Keishi Anderson, Florian Bianchini, Josh Murphy and several others are ruled out, seriously limiting John Mousinho’s tactical options. On the plus side, Connor Shaughnessy's return from injury should strengthen the backline and give Portsmouth a chance to play a more compact defensive game.
Probable lineups
- Blackburn Rovers: Toth, Carter, McLaughlin, Cashin, Alebiosu, Montgomery, Baradji, Ribeiro, Morishita, Ohashi, Gudjohnsen
- Portsmouth: Schmid, Devlin, Poole, Ogilvie, Swanson, Pack, Adams, Caballero, Segecic, Alli, Bishop
Match facts and head-to-head
- Blackburn have won their last four home meetings against Portsmouth.
- Last season, both clubs won their respective home matches in the Championship.
- Portsmouth’s last away win over Blackburn dates back to September 2007.
Prediction
Both teams are dealing with injury issues and will likely play with maximum caution. Their proximity in the league table and the intense relegation scrap could result in a cagey affair, where every mistake is costly. Expect a tightly contested game that will most likely end in a draw.
