Blackburn Rovers

Blackburn Rovers welcome Middlesbrough to Ewood Park for an important clash in the battle for a Championship play-off spot on Friday evening (20:00 BST).

Rovers have slipped to 11th and are five points off the top six following a six-game winless run (D1 L5).

Boro have won four of their previous six matches (D1 L1) to move level on points with West Bromwich Albion in sixth and would climb above Coventry in fifth with victory before the rest of the weekend's action.

• Blackburn Rovers have lost two of their past 19 league games against Middlesbrough (W8 D9) and are unbeaten in their past three (W2 D1).

• Middlesbrough lost their most recent league visit to Blackburn last season but haven't lost consecutive away games at Rovers since December 2006.

• Blackburn have lost each of their past four league games but haven't lost five in a row since February 2021 under Tony Mowbray.

• Middlesbrough have won four of their past six league matches (D1 L1), more than in their previous 15 games combined (W3 D5 L7).

• Middlesbrough are averaging 14.2 shots per Championship game this season (552 in 39 games), their highest average in a campaign since 2014-15 (14.3).

Blackburn Rovers chief operating officer Suhail Pasha has sat down with BBC Radio Lancashire this week - the first time he has spoken to the media publicly since Venky's bought the club in 2010.

Pasha was joined by the club's chief executive Steve Waggott and former player Rudy Gestede, who is the head of football operations at Ewood Park.

It comes just days after a collection of Blackburn supporters' groups called upon the trio to stay away from their side's remaining games this season due to frustrations over how the club is being run.

Rovers are 11th in the Championship and five points behind the play-off spots after a run of four straight defeats and no wins in their past six games.

You can watch the video interview in full above while BBC Sport will also publish an in-depth article later today.

Image source, Rex Features

Blackburn Rovers boss Valerien Ismael says his sides' loss to relegation-threatened Portsmouth is "a big disappointment".

The defeat was their fourth league loss in a row, with the Lancashire side yet to win under their new boss since his first game in charge against Norwich in March.

""It was a big disappointment, especially how we approached the first half," Ismael told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"We knew it would be difficult at the beginning with the pressure and energy, the injury changed our rhythm early on.

"We finished the first half better with some great chances and the second was better, we played with more confidence but we still need to believe more because we have the quality.

"We need to be more dangerous on the ball, we need to take more risks, the last 15 minutes there was too much backwards and square passes."

Rovers now sit in 11th place with a five point gap between them and the current play off places.

Image source, Rex Features

The discontent among some Blackburn Rovers supporters shows they care, according to head coach Valerien Ismael.

It comes as a collection of fan groups are calling upon senior club officials to stay away from the side's remaining games this season.

"It's a difficult situation to hear that," Ismael told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"I know we have some issues between the fans and the board but I think it's important to show that they care about the club, that everyone cares about the club."

Blackburn have lost three games and drawn once since Ismael replaced John Eustace as head coach last month, and the Rovers boss said he is trying to concentrate on football matters.

"My focus is the training and the game, it's why I'm here. Our job is to make sure that we can perform on the pitch and that the players are able to compete.

"I know it's not the first time that something has happened [between fans and owners]. It's a deep problem, not from yesterday. So I think that it's something to deal with, to accept, to know that and to be focused on your job."

Blackburn go for their first victory under the Frenchman at Portsmouth on Saturday (15:00 GMT) with defenders Danny Batth and Owen Beck available for the first time since he took over.

Wide man Ryan Hedges is also in contention to play at Fratton Park after picking up an injury in the draw against Norwich City at the start of the month - Ismael's first match in charge.

This fixture was first played as an FA Cup tie in January 1900 with the first league meeting played in 1927 so there is plenty of history between these two sides.

Pompey have moved four points clear of the Championship relegation zone while Blackburn have taken just one point from boss Valerien Ismael's first four games in charge.

• Portsmouth have lost five of their past six league games against Blackburn Rovers (D1), failing to score in four matches during that time.

• Blackburn Rovers have lost just two of their past 11 away league games against Portsmouth (W5 D4), winning this exact fixture 2-1 the last time it was played in February 2018.

• Portsmouth have lost each of their past two league games 2-1, and will be looking to avoid losing three in succession for the first time since September last year.

• Blackburn have lost six of their past seven away league games (W1), scoring multiple goals in just one of those matches during that time.

• Portsmouth's Josh Murphy has provided 10 assists in the league this season, with only Ricky Holmes ever providing more in a season for the club on Opta record (11 in League Two in 2013-14).

"Jack Walker was totally sincere and I don't think what he did will ever be repeated. He was genuine and really heartfelt."

Take a trip down memory lane with Sir Kenny Dalglish, Chris Sutton, Alan Shearer and more as they join Kelly Cates to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Blackburn Rovers' 1995 Premiership title victory.

From owner Jack Walker's investment to the legendary SAS partnership to the guidance of a title-winning manager, hear from those involved as they reflect on the moments and individuals that led to Rovers lifting the trophy.

You can listen to the full episode and more on the Football Daily podcast.

Image source, Rex Features

Blackburn Rovers are to press forward with plans to introduce an area of safe standing at their Ewood Park home in time for next season.

An area affecting 406 seats in the lower tier of the Blackburn End stand will initially be converted with the scheme to be extended during the 2025-26 season.

To comply with regulations, barriers will also be installed across 250 seats in the away end of the stadium.

Referencing a football ground guide published in September 2024, , externalRovers would become the 19th EFL side with areas of safe-standing rails. West Bromwich Albion announced a similar move last month.

Image source, Getty Images

Blackburn head coach Valerien Ismael spoke to the media after his side was beaten 2-1 by Cardiff City.

"This one is the most disappointing [of Ismael's four results]," he said.

"We played well with belief and conviction. It was a step forward, especially in the first half.

"This one is tough to take. The first Cardiff goal we defended badly and the second one we just lost the ball. At the end you get punished. Details make the difference."

On the penalty decision: "The referee is five yards away and has a clear view. It's difficult to take. At the moment, decisions are not going our way but we have to accept it."

Image source, Getty Images

Blackburn Rovers full-back Callum Brittain will miss Saturday's game against Cardiff City at Ewood Park with a calf injury.

Brittain, 27, is due for a scan to determine its severity.

He has played 29 Championship games this season, helping Rovers challenge for a play-off place.

They go into the game ninth in the table, three points behind Coventry City in sixth.

Cardiff City will look to avoid dropping into the relegation zone as they visit play off chasers Blackburn Rovers on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

The Bluebirds are only one point above 22nd placed Derby County and within three points of basement dwellers Plymouth Argyle.

The Welsh side will need to put an end to a three-game losing run if they are to take all three points against Blackburn and ensure safety, though the Lancashire side's form hasn't been all that bright lately either.

Rovers have not won any of their past four matches to drift four points shy of the top six.

• Blackburn Rovers have only lost one of their last 12 league games against Cardiff City (W6 D5) and have beaten them in three of their last four meetings (D1).

• Cardiff are winless in their last eight league visits to Blackburn (D5 L3) and have lost each of their last three at Ewood Park. Their last win at this venue came in December 2012 under Malky Mackay.

• Blackburn Rovers have won three of their last five home league games (D1 L1), with two of those wins coming under John Eustace and one under caretaker manager David Lowe.

• Cardiff City have won only one of their last 20 away league matches (D9 L10), beating Watford 2-1 in December.

• Blackburn forward Andreas Weimann has scored seven Championship goals against Cardiff City, more than he has against any other team.

Image source, Getty Images

Blackburn Rovers head coach Valerien Ismael says that his players must embrace the pressure of trying to secure a play-off spot.

Rovers suffered a 1-0 loss at Stoke City, their second loss in four days after defeat at Derby County.

They have picked up just one point in Ismael's three games in charge and have slipped to ninth, four points outside the top six.

But they will have a chance to turn their form around on Saturday when they host struggling Cardiff City.

"The performance in the first half wasn't what we expected," Ismael told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"We made a mistake, but how we finished the first half, how we played in the second half, is what we wanted to see from minute one.

"The players showed quality. Last season, Rovers were in a bad situation with much more pressure, and now we are competing for something positive, so we need to enjoy it and start the games as we started the second half.

"We need to work on our confidence. The second half was much better. We have to build on that."

Image source, Getty Images

Blackburn Rovers manager Valerien Ismael says his side possess the quality to compete for a Championship play-off place this season.

Rovers are eighth in the table, three points off sixth, but Ismael is still waiting for a first win since replacing John Eustace on 25 February.

His side travel to Stoke on Wednesday, and Ismael is hoping to see the best of January loan signing Emmanuel Dennis, who is yet to score for the club.

"I know him from last season at Watford," Ismael told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"He is more in form; he looks really good, sharp. We will get the best from him quickly. He can help the team and he is a player who can make the difference.

"We've got enough quality in the squad to compete. It is about finding the right formula."

Ismael is also challenging midfielder Todd Cantwell to find form before the end of the season, and believes he could be the difference maker.

"We are not seeing the best of him, he has to do more. I know what he is capable of, he is an X-factor player; our job is to make him comfortable and get the best out of him."

Stoke City are without a win from their past four Championship matches with Saturday's 3-2 defeat by Coventry their third loss in that run.

The Potters are four points clear of the relegation zone as they prepare to host Blackburn on Wednesday (20:00 GMT).

Rovers are three points outside the play-off places but yet to win under new head coach Valerien Ismael.

• Stoke City have won four of their past six league games against Blackburn Rovers (L2), keeping a clean sheet in three of those wins.

• Blackburn Rovers have won four of their past six away league games against Stoke City (L2), winning this exact fixture 3-0 last season which is their joint-biggest away league victory over the Potters alongside another 3-0 win in December 1889.

• Stoke have only lost one of their past six home league games (W2 D3), keeping four clean sheets in that time, as many as in their previous 17 league matches on home soil.

• Blackburn have only lost two of their past eight midweek league games (W4 D2), though those two defeats have come in their past three such games (0-2 v Coventry, 1-2 v QPR).

• Stoke boss Mark Robins is unbeaten in his last eight Championship games against Blackburn (W3 D5), winning each of his past three at home with Coventry from November 2022 to October 2024.