Derby Vs Blackburn

John Eustace is set to reunite with his former club this weekend as Derby County prepares to face Blackburn Rovers at Pride Park on Saturday. The encounter comes at a crucial time for both teams, with Derby fighting to escape the depths of the Championship relegation zone and Blackburn pushing for a spot in the playoffs.

Eustace’s move to Derby last month was unexpected, as he left a promotion-chasing Rovers side to take charge of a struggling Rams outfit embroiled in a relegation battle. Since his arrival, things have not gone to plan, with Derby suffering three consecutive defeats under his management, failing to score a single goal while conceding six. If Eustace’s side fails to pick up a result against his former club, he will become the first Derby manager in history to begin his tenure with four straight losses.

When Eustace took charge, Derby were just outside the relegation zone, saved only by goal difference. However, their poor form since then has seen them plummet to the bottom of the table. Other teams in the battle for survival have managed to pick up points in recent weeks, increasing Derby’s woes. Now, seven points adrift of safety, the Rams are in desperate need of a victory to revive their season and keep their Championship status intact.

Their struggles have been evident for some time. Since securing a 2-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion on Boxing Day, Derby have failed to win a single match, a dire run of 13 games without success in all competitions. They are now the only team in the division yet to register a victory in 2025. Their recent form reads as ten defeats in their last twelve Championship fixtures, a statistic that highlights their dire predicament.

Although Derby have picked up the majority of their points at home this season, with 21 of their 29 points coming at Pride Park, their overall home record remains one of the worst in the division. Only Hull City have performed worse in front of their own fans. In addition to their defensive frailties, the Rams also struggle in attack. Scoring just 33 goals in 35 league matches, they average less than a goal per game, making them the second-lowest scoring side in the league, ahead of only Luton Town.

Jerry Yates is Derby’s top scorer this season, finding the net seven times in 32 league matches. However, with their next highest scorer managing just four goals, the Rams are in dire need of someone stepping up to provide more attacking firepower if they are to stand any chance of avoiding the drop. Having only been promoted from League One last season, the possibility of an immediate return looms large. With just 11 games remaining and a seven-point gap to safety, Derby still have time to turn things around, but the task is becoming increasingly difficult.

On the other side, Blackburn Rovers arrive at Pride Park with loftier ambitions. They are just outside the playoff places and looking to end a 13-year absence from the Premier League. When Eustace left the club last month, Rovers were in the playoff zone. In his absence, interim manager David Lowe guided the team to two victories before Valerien Ismael took over as head coach on February 25.

Ismael’s tenure began with a 1-1 draw against Norwich City last weekend. The new Blackburn boss will be eager to improve his record against Derby, having lost three of his previous four managerial encounters with the Rams. His side are currently only outside the top six on goal difference, with his former club, West Bromwich Albion, occupying the final playoff spot.

Blackburn’s hopes of securing a playoff berth took a slight hit when Bristol City leapfrogged them in the table following a midweek 2-0 win at Millwall. The race for the playoffs remains extremely tight, with multiple clubs still in contention for a top-six finish. Every point is crucial at this stage of the season, and a victory against a struggling Derby side could be vital in their pursuit of promotion.

One of the reasons behind Blackburn’s strong position in the league is their solid defensive record. They have conceded just 35 goals in 35 matches, averaging exactly one goal against per game. Goalkeeper Aynsley Pears has played a key role in their defensive success, keeping 13 clean sheets so far, the fourth-highest tally among Championship goalkeepers this season.

Offensively, Blackburn have struggled to fill the void left by Sammie Szmodics, who netted 33 goals in 48 matches last season before earning a move to Ipswich Town. Andreas Weimann has been their leading scorer this campaign, with nine goals across all competitions. He found the net last weekend against Norwich and will be eager to reach double figures in the coming weeks. With Derby’s defense conceding 48 goals this season, Weimann will see this as an opportunity to add to his tally.

Blackburn’s away form has been inconsistent, with just five league victories on the road this season. However, given Derby’s current struggles, Rovers will view this fixture as a prime opportunity to improve their away record and solidify their playoff credentials.

The last time these two sides met was on the opening weekend of the season, with Blackburn emerging victorious in a 4-2 triumph. Goals from Szmodics, Weimann, Yuki Ohashi, and Tyrhys Dolan sealed a comfortable win for Rovers. Given Derby’s current state, a repeat of that result is entirely possible.

As Saturday’s fixture approaches, the stakes are high for both teams. For Derby, the match represents a must-win scenario. With their Championship status hanging in the balance, they need a turnaround in form, and fast. A victory could reignite their hopes of survival, but another defeat would push them further toward League One.

For Blackburn, three points could be crucial in their pursuit of a playoff spot. With the promotion race heating up, they cannot afford to drop points against struggling opposition. Ismael will be determined to secure his first win as Blackburn boss and keep his side’s Premier League dreams alive.

Both teams have plenty to play for, and the game at Pride Park promises to be a fascinating encounter. With Eustace facing his former club, Derby in desperate need of points, and Blackburn aiming to maintain their promotion push, all eyes will be on this crucial Championship clash.