Preston North End
Blackburn Rovers
Preston North End vs Blackburn Rovers Predictions, Picks & Odds – 05/09/2026
Championship · 5Preston North End vs Blackburn Rovers – Best bets of the match
Preston North End vs Blackburn Rovers Preview
Preston North End's season has been nothing short of calamitous. Rock bottom of the Championship with four consecutive defeats, Ryan Lowe's side are haemorrhaging goals at a rate of over two per match. Their most recent outing, a 3-1 home loss to Bristol City, offered glimpses of attacking intent but the defensive frailties remain glaring. Deadline day arrivals Liam Gibbs and Johnny Kenny could feature from the bench, though neither is likely to transform fortunes overnight.
Blackburn Rovers arrive at Deepdale in considerably better shape, sitting 13th after a mixed but respectable opening. Tuesday's goalless draw with Lincoln City was marred by Tom Atcheson's red card, and Tony Mowbray faces a genuine defensive headache. Hayden Carter, Scott Wharton, and Harry Pickering are all unavailable, potentially forcing a midfielder into the back line. Despite those issues, Rovers are unbeaten in their last five Lancashire derbies against Preston, a record that lends quiet confidence.
Preston's wretched run of five consecutive defeats leaves them rooted to the bottom of the table, conceding at an alarming rate of over two goals per match. Blackburn, sitting 13th, carry a far sturdier recent record in this fixture, unbeaten across their last five meetings with three wins and two draws. The draw or away double chance represents the strongest angle here, supported by the away price at 3.30.
Tony Mowbray's defensive headaches are real. With Carter, Wharton, and Pickering all sidelined, Blackburn may field a makeshift backline at Deepdale. Yet Preston's own attacking output has been feeble, and the hosts have shown little capacity to punish opponents even at home. Under 2.5 goals at 1.73 looks appealing given Blackburn's goalless draw with Lincoln and Preston's chronic lack of cutting edge.
Both sides to score is worth considering at 1.80, though only cautiously. Preston showed glimpses against Bristol City, netting once in a 3-1 defeat, while Blackburn's patched-up defence could be vulnerable. The Lancashire derby context adds unpredictability, but the core value remains with backing Blackburn to avoid defeat. Odds correct at time of publication.
Trends to Know about Preston North End vs Blackburn Rovers
- Preston winless in all four league matches
- Blackburn unbeaten in five recent derbies
- Preston conceding over two goals per match
Form & Statistics: Preston North End vs Blackburn Rovers
Preston North End
Recent form
Season statistics (5)
Blackburn Rovers
Recent form
Season statistics (5)
Preston North End vs Blackburn Rovers: Head-to-Head
Average statistics (recent meetings)
How to Watch Preston North End vs Blackburn Rovers Match?
What time is Preston North End vs Blackburn Rovers?
Preston North End host Blackburn Rovers at Deepdale on Saturday 5 September 2026, with kickoff at 12:30 BST.
Where is Preston North End vs Blackburn Rovers being played?
This Lancashire derby takes place at Deepdale, the home ground of Preston North End.
How Can I Watch Preston North End vs Blackburn Rovers on TV and Live Stream?
This fixture is available to watch via Sky Sports in the United Kingdom. Odds correct at time of publication.