Blackburn Vs Preston

Preston North End are aiming to extend their current unbeaten streak to six matches when they visit Ewood Park for a derby showdown with Blackburn Rovers on Friday. Having gone five games without tasting defeat in all competitions, the Lilywhites will look to continue their impressive form. On the other hand, Blackburn Rovers, who have suffered three consecutive losses in the Championship, are desperate for a turnaround in fortune to get their season back on track.

Blackburn’s recent form has been disappointing, with their playoff push losing significant momentum following a trio of losses. The team had previously been in strong contention for a playoff spot, but their recent struggles have seen them slip out of the top six. They began this slump with a 3-2 defeat against Oxford United, followed by a 1-0 loss to Coventry City and another narrow 1-0 defeat at the hands of Bristol City. Their most recent match against the Robins was particularly frustrating, as they went into the break level at 1-1 after Scott Twine's early goal for Preston was canceled out by Andreas Weimann. Despite the equalizer, Nakhi Wells scored a 77th-minute winner for Bristol City, sealing another disappointing result for Blackburn.

This defeat marked their third away loss in the last four league matches, which has led to a significant fall from grace for John Eustace’s side. They now find themselves in seventh place, just outside the playoff positions, trailing the top six by two points. This sudden dip in form has raised concerns among fans, especially as Blackburn were previously seen as playoff contenders. The defeat to Bristol City was a particularly bitter pill to swallow, and it left Rovers searching for answers as they approach the crucial final stretch of the season.

Returning to Ewood Park, Blackburn will be hoping to make amends. However, their form at home has been anything but solid, having only won one of their last five matches there. They have drawn one and lost three, with the sole victory coming against Portsmouth earlier in the month. This inconsistent home form has left Rovers frustrated, especially since they were previously able to rely on their home turf for strong results. Blackburn fans will be hoping that their team can regain some confidence and momentum at Ewood Park, but the pressure is mounting on manager John Eustace to turn things around.

One of the challenges for Blackburn has been their inability to find consistent success against Preston. In fact, they have failed to defeat their rivals in their last five encounters, which includes a 4-1 loss in their last home match against the Lilywhites in April 2022. With this in mind, Rovers will enter Friday’s game with the goal of breaking their winless run against Preston and securing a much-needed victory that could reignite their playoff push.

On the other hand, Preston North End will travel to Ewood Park in a much more positive mood, buoyed by their recent unbeaten run. Despite sitting in 15th place in the Championship standings, five points behind Blackburn, Preston have shown resilience and consistency over the last few weeks. After suffering a 2-0 defeat to West Bromwich Albion on New Year’s Day, Preston have bounced back in impressive fashion, remaining unbeaten in their last five matches. This has included two draws against Oxford United and Luton Town, as well as a FA Cup win over Charlton Athletic. The highlight of their recent form came in a 2-1 victory over Watford in their most recent away match, which was followed by a similarly strong 2-1 win at home against Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Manager Paul Heckingbottom has overseen a steady improvement in his team’s performances, and the recent results reflect that. The 2-1 win over Watford in their last away match was especially significant, as it marked only their second away victory of the season. While Preston have struggled on their travels throughout the campaign, winning just two of their 14 away league matches, their recent success on the road will give them confidence heading into Friday’s derby. They will be looking to secure back-to-back away league wins for the first time since February and March 2024, a feat that would go a long way in boosting their hopes of finishing the season strongly.

Preston’s home form has been far more impressive than their away performances, with the team remaining unbeaten in their last eight Championship matches at Deepdale. With six wins and seven draws from 15 home games, the Lilywhites have proven to be difficult to beat on their own turf. This includes a solid 2-1 victory over Middlesbrough, in which Stefan Teitur Thordarson and Emil Riis both found the back of the net. While Preston’s overall form has been mixed this season, their strong showing at home has allowed them to remain in the mid-table battle. Their recent victories, coupled with an unbeaten run at home, suggest that the team is building momentum under Heckingbottom’s stewardship.

Looking ahead to the derby clash at Ewood Park, Preston will be hoping to extend their unbeaten run and continue their positive momentum. Their recent away form, coupled with their success in past visits to Blackburn, will give them confidence going into the match. In fact, Preston have won their last two away games against Blackburn, including a 2-1 victory in their most recent visit to Ewood Park in November 2023. That win will serve as inspiration for the Lilywhites, who will be determined to get one over their rivals and climb further up the table.

Despite their position in the standings, Preston will be optimistic about their chances against a Blackburn side that is currently struggling. The recent losses for Rovers have put them under pressure, and they will need to regroup quickly if they are to avoid falling further behind in the playoff race. For Preston, the opportunity to extend their unbeaten run and claim back-to-back away wins for the first time in nearly a year is a significant opportunity to move up the table and put themselves in a stronger position for the final stretch of the season.

With both teams heading into the match in contrasting forms, the derby promises to be an exciting and competitive encounter. Blackburn will be determined to snap their losing streak and get back into the playoff race, while Preston will look to capitalize on their recent unbeaten run and continue their resurgence. The outcome of this match could have important implications for both teams as they strive to achieve their respective goals in the Championship.