Middlesbrough vs Blackburn: Lineups, Predictions & Betting Tips

Middlesbrough vs Blackburn: Lineups, Predictions & Betting Tips

Match Details: December 26, 2025 | The Riverside Stadium | EFL Championship | 15:00 GMT

One of the many boxing day fixtures sees Blackburn make the trip up north to take on Middlesbrough at the Riverside. It's a fixture that will also see opposite ends of the table facing off against each other as Middlesbrough currently sit 2nd whilst Blackburn are all the way down in 20th.

Key Betting Tip: Both Teams To Score at 1.80 odds represents excellent value based on the tip provided by our team of in-house tipsters.

Middlesbrough vs Blackburn Predicted Lineups:

Middlesbrough (4-2-2-2): Brynn, Brittain, Ayling, Jones, Targett, Gilbert, Hackney, Whittaker, McGree, Strelec, Conway

Blackburn (3-4-1-2): Pears, Miller, McLoughlin, Pratt, Litherland, Morishita, Tronstad, Pickering, Cantwell, Ohashi, Gudjohnsen

Head to Head Record Evaluation:

1. Blackburn 0-2 Middlesbrough | 04/04/25
2. Middlesbrough 0-1 Blackburn | 11/01/25
3. Middlesbrough 0-1 Blackburn | 27/11/24
4. Middlesbrough 0-0 Blackburn | 16/03/24
5. Blackburn 2-1 Middlesbrough | 16/09/23

In the last 5 fixtures betweeen the two sides it's the unexpected of the two that holds the bragging rights. Blackburn have come out victorious in 3 of the last 5 meetings and drawing another, for Middlesbrough this will be a huge area of frustration that will surely be focused on this Friday.

Recent Middlesbrough and Blackburn Form Analysis:

Last 5 Middlesbrough Games:

1. Middlesbrough 2-1 Derby
2. Hull 1-4 Middlesbrough
3. Charlton 1-2 Middlesbrough
4. Middlesbrough 3-1 QPR
5. Bristol City 2-0 Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough have shown a vein of form indicative of why they sit 2nd in the Championship and in the automatic promotion spots. They have been able to pick up 4 wins in the last 5 and have shown dominance in many of these including battering's of QPR and Hull.

Goal scoring has been the main reason for the points they have picked up having managed to net a whopping 11 in their last 5. At the back meanwhile has been an area of mild vulnerability for the North East side, Middlesbrough have been unable to record a single clean sheet in their last 5 and have shipped 6.

Last 5 Blackburn Games:

1. Wrexham 1-1 Blackburn
2. Blackburn 1-1 Ipswich
3. Blackburn 1-1 Oxford Utd
4. Portsmouth 2-1 Blackburn
5. Blackburn 2-0 Millwall

Blackburn fans' main gripe with their form over the last 5 has been the inability to be clinical in turning draws into wins. The club have recorded 3 draws all at a 1-1 scoreline. In the other 2 games played they have won 1 and lost 1, the victory came against a very good Millwall side however which is sure to fill them with confidence heading to Middlesbrough.

Funnily enough Blackburn have had a better showing defensively when compared to Friday's opponents having been able to keep a clean sheet and only conceding 5 as opposed to their oppositions 0 clean sheets and 6 conceded. Up front has been the differential however as Blackburn have only been able to bag 6, not a bad goals haul but evidently not enough to drag them up the table and away from a relegation scrap.

Middlesbrough vs Blackburn Predictions:

Our advanced algorithm analyses over 200 data points to generate these predictions with 76.70% confidence in Both Teams To Score. The model factors in current form, head-to-head records, player availability, and tactical matchups.

Best Middlesbrough vs Blackburn Betting Tips:

Football Park's Best Bet: Both Teams To Score @ 1.80 - Our team of in-house betting tipsters have predicted Both Teams To Score in this fixture. The respective form, goal scoring records, and head-to-head record justify confidence in this selection.

Key Players To Watch:

Morgan Whittaker (Middlesbrough):

Former Plymouth man Morgan Whittaker is showing exactly why Middlesbrough prioritised bringing him into the club in last seasons winter window. So far this season he has been able to record 11 contributions in 21 league games, the highest in the whole squad and was crucial in the sides last 5.

Andri Gudjohnsen (Blackburn):

Icelandic Striker Andri Gudjohnsen has been one of the shining lights in an otherwise fairly dim season for Blackburn. Arriving for a reported £1.8m fee in August, the striker will be pleasing those who signed off on his transfer having established himself as one of the sides talismen. So far this season he is the clubs top league goalscorer with 7.

Middlesbrough vs Blackburn Match Facts:

Broadcast Details: Sky Sports+ (UK)

Stadium Information: The game will be held at the Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough, England, home of Middlesbrough FC. The stadium has a capacity of 34,988.