Blackburn vs. Middlesbrough Prediction - bettingexpert
This Friday, the Championship continues with a crucial clash between Blackburn Rovers and Middlesbrough at Ewood Park. With both teams eyeing a strong finish to the season, this encounter promises to be fiercely contested.
Blackburn, currently 11th in the standings with 52 points, has struggled to find form recently, failing to secure a win in their last five matches. Middlesbrough, sitting 7th with 57 points, will look to capitalize on Blackburn’s poor run as they push for a playoff spot. Historically, recent encounters have seen Blackburn edge out Middlesbrough with tight battles.
Given Blackburn’s defensive vulnerabilities and Middlesbrough’s solid away form, our match tip is to back Middlesbrough with a Draw No Bet for full-time. This bet takes into account Blackburn’s lack of clean sheets and Middlesbrough’s two clean sheets in their last five games.
With the match scheduled to kick off at 20:00 under the Ewood Park floodlights, expect a thrilling Friday night football encounter.
Blackburn vs Middlesbrough Prediction & Betting Tip
Our recommended betting tip for this match is to back Middlesbrough with a Draw No Bet for full-time. Considering the current form and match facts, this approach provides a safer betting option while still offering good value.
| Blackburn vs Middlesbrough Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting tip | Odds |
| Middlesbrough Draw No Bet | 2.50 |
Why this tip is recommended:
- Middlesbrough’s solid away form: Middlesbrough have been strong on the road recently.
- Blackburn’s recent struggles: Blackburn haven’t won in their last five outings, indicating a rough patch.
- Defensive stability: Middlesbrough have managed two clean sheets in their last five games, showcasing a reliable defense.
Backing Middlesbrough with a Draw No Bet ensures that even if the match ends in a draw, your stake is protected. This combination of form, defensive reliability, and Blackburn’s current challenges makes it a wise choice.
Blackburn vs Middlesbrough Odds
| Blackburn vs Middlesbrough Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| Blackburn | 2.73 |
| Draw | 3.29 |
| Middlesbrough | 2.50 |
The odds are fairly close, reflecting the competitive nature of the Championship. With Middlesbrough slightly favored at 2.50, the bookmakers see them as more likely to edge out a victory compared to Blackburn, who are priced at 2.73. A draw, seen as a potential outcome given the tight odds, stands at 3.29.
Given Blackburn’s current form struggles, a bet on Middlesbrough brings slightly better value.
Blackburn Team Analysis
Blackburn Recent Performance
Blackburn’s recent form has been less than stellar, with a string of five consecutive losses. The team has struggled both defensively and offensively, failing to keep a clean sheet in their last five matches and averaging only 0.60 goals per game. This run of poor results has seen them drop to 11th place in the table.
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth | Blackburn | 2025-03-29 | Championship | 1-0 (Loss) |
| Blackburn | Cardiff | 2025-03-15 | Championship | 1-2 (Loss) |
| Stoke | Blackburn | 2025-03-12 | Championship | 1-0 (Loss) |
| Derby | Blackburn | 2025-03-08 | Championship | 2-1 (Loss) |
| Blackburn | Norwich | 2025-03-01 | Championship | 1-1 (Draw) |
The lack of clean sheets indicates defensive issues that need to be addressed by coach Valérien Ismaël, and the absence of key players due to injuries like Andreas Weimann has only added to their woes.
Blackburn Key Players
For Blackburn, the key players to watch include the likes of Yuki Ohashi and Tyrhys Dolan. While the team has struggled recently, Dolan’s pace and creativity on the wing might just be the catalyst they need to turn their fortunes around. With Andreas Weimann sidelined due to a meniscus injury, the goal-scoring burden falls on Ohashi, who will be eager to add to his tally. Defensively, Dominic Hyam will need to be at his best to organize the backline and keep Middlesbrough’s forwards at bay.
Expected lineup for Blackburn:
- Goalkeeper: Aynsley Pears
- Defenders: Hayden Carter, Dominic Hyam, Danny Batth, Yuri Ribeiro
- Midfielders: Sondre Tronstad, Lewis Travis, Cauley Woodrow, Tyrhys Dolan, Owen Beck
- Attackers: Yuki Ohashi
Blackburn Suspensions & Injuries
Blackburn Rovers are facing a challenging time with several key players sidelined.
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Scott Wharton | Cruciate ligament injury | Late April 2025 |
| Zak Gilsenan | Muscle injury | Mid April 2025 |
| Harry Pickering | Knee injury | Late April 2025 |
| Harry Leonard | Leg injury | Mid April 2025 |
| Andreas Weimann | Meniscus injury | Early June 2025 |
| Augustus Kargbo | Hamstring injury | Mid April 2025 |
These injuries could heavily impact Blackburn’s performance, especially with top scorer Andreas Weimann out until early June.
Valérien Ismaël will need to find tactical solutions to compensate for the absence of these key players if they are to turn their recent poor form around.
Blackburn Tactics and Formation
Blackburn Rovers Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Yuki Ohashi
- Midfield Trio: Sondre Tronstad, Lewis Travis, Cauley Woodrow
- Defensive Issues: No clean sheets in the last five games.
- Notable Strategy: Solid build-up play but struggling to convert chances.
Valérien Ismaël tends to favour a 4-2-3-1 formation that aims to solidify the midfield with a double pivot of Tronstad and Travis. Woodrow adds creativity in the attacking midfield role, while Dolan and Ribeiro provide width.
However, Blackburn has faced defensive challenges recently, failing to keep a clean sheet in their last five matches. The absence of top scorer Andreas Weimann due to injury means the team will heavily rely on Ohashi to find the net and break their poor run of form. The team will need to be more clinical in front of goal to have any chance against a defensively solid Middlesbrough.
Middlesbrough Team Analysis
Middlesbrough Recent Performance
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middlesbrough | Oxford | 2025-03-29 | Championship | 2-1 (Win) |
| Luton | Middlesbrough | 2025-03-15 | Championship | 0-0 (Draw) |
| Middlesbrough | Queens Park Rangers | 2025-03-11 | Championship | 2-1 (Win) |
| Swansea | Middlesbrough | 2025-03-08 | Championship | 1-0 (Loss) |
| Middlesbrough | Derby | 2025-03-01 | Championship | 1-0 (Win) |
Middlesbrough has been in solid form recently, winning three and drawing one of their last five matches. Their recent run includes victories against Oxford, QPR, and Derby, with a notable draw on the road against a strong Luton side.
Despite a loss to Swansea, they have managed to maintain a respectable defensive record, with two clean sheets in these games. Middlesbrough averages 1.0 goals per game in their last five matches, demonstrating a more balanced approach between attack and defense under Michael Carrick. This form suggests a team capable of grinding out results even in closely contested matches.
Middlesbrough Key Players
Middlesbrough’s recent success has been underpinned by some standout performances from key players. Emmanuel Latte Lath, the top scorer, has been in fine form with 11 goals this season. His ability to find the net could be decisive against Blackburn’s struggling defense.
Kelechi Iheanacho, leading the line in the expected lineup, brings Premier League experience and goal-scoring prowess. His battles against Blackburn’s central defenders Danny Batth and Dominic Hyam will be crucial.
Midfield dynamo Hayden Hackney has been vital in providing stability and creativity in the middle of the park. Look out for his duels with Blackburn’s Sondre Tronstad and Lewis Travis.
Expected lineup for Middlesbrough:
- Goalkeeper: Mark Travers
- Defenders: Anfernee Dijksteel, Jonathan Howson, Neto Borges, Samuel Iling
- Midfielders: Aidan Morris, Hayden Hackney, Delano Burgzorg, Tommy Conway, Finn Azaz
- Forward: Kelechi Iheanacho
Middlesbrough Suspensions & Injuries
Middlesbrough’s squad depth will be tested with several key players sidelined due to injuries. The list of injuries includes multiple crucial defenders and a key forward.
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Alex Bangura | Achilles tendon injury | Mid April 2025 |
| Darragh Lenihan | Ankle injury | Mid April 2025 |
| Solomon Brynn | Dislocated shoulder | Mid April 2025 |
| Ben Doak | Thigh injury | Mid April 2025 |
| Seny Dieng | Achilles tendon injury | Early May 2025 |
| George Edmundson | Ankle injury | Mid April 2025 |
| Luke Ayling | Ankle injury | Mid April 2025 |
| Dael Fry | Calf injury | Doubtful |
The absence of these players could disrupt Middlesbrough’s defensive solidity and overall team balance. Particularly, the injuries to key defensive players such as Alex Bangura and George Edmundson will force Michael Carrick to make tactical adjustments to ensure the backline remains solid. It could be a challenging test, especially with Blackburn seeking to capitalize on any defensive frailties.
Middlesbrough Tactics and Formation
Middlesbrough’s Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Kelechi Iheanacho
- Wingers: Delano Burgzorg and Finn Azaz, providing pace and width.
- Attacking Midfielder: Tommy Conway, pulling strings in the final third.
Middlesbrough have shown defensive solidity, evidenced by two clean sheets in their last five games. The two defensive midfielders, Aidan Morris and Hayden Hackney, play crucial roles in protecting the backline and dictating the tempo.
Their strategy often involves building attacks from the back and utilizing the creativity of their midfielders to create scoring opportunities.
Additionally, Middlesbrough have been effective at maintaining their defensive structure, despite numerous injuries, thanks to the efficient use of their squad depth.
Blackburn vs Middlesbrough Head-to-Head Statistics
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middlesbrough | Blackburn Rovers | 2025-01-11 | FA Cup | 0-1 (Loss) |
| Middlesbrough | Blackburn Rovers | 2024-11-27 | Championship | 0-1 (Loss) |
| Middlesbrough | Blackburn Rovers | 2024-03-16 | Championship | 0-0 (Draw) |
| Blackburn Rovers | Middlesbrough | 2023-09-16 | Championship | 2-1 (Win) |
| Blackburn Rovers | Middlesbrough | 2022-12-29 | Championship | 1-2 (Loss) |
In their last five encounters, Blackburn has had the upper hand with three wins, one draw, and one loss against Middlesbrough.
Their recent matchup history suggests that Blackburn has been quite resilient against Middlesbrough, even managing to win in away fixtures.
This trend could boost Blackburn’s confidence despite their current form and injuries. For Middlesbrough, they’ll be eager to break this pattern and convert their marginal edge in bookmaker odds into a crucial win.
Odds accurate as of 04.02.2025 20:02, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.
