Preston North End vs Blackburn Rovers Prediction:

Paul Heckingbottom’s Preston North End side are set to take on John Eustace’s flying Blackburn Rovers.

The Teams will meet at Deepdale on Sunday 22nd of September. This match is commonly known as the West Lancashire Derby, although sometimes referred to as the M55 derby in reference to the motorway connecting the two Lancashire clubs.

Key Stats

• Preston North End have been first to score in 4 of their last five matches
• Blackburn Rovers have been first to score in 7 of their last 9 matches
• Both teams have scored in 6 of Blackburn’s last 7 games

Team Previews, Form, and Standout Players: New Signings Thrive

Preston North End are yet to properly kick on this season, however they’ve turned around a slow start by securing a draw in their last two matches.

Blackburn Rovers are thriving so far, with their new striker Ohashi helping them to outscore most opposition.

Preston North End Preview: On a Positive Path

Predicted Lineup - Woodman; Potts, Whatmough, Storey, Hughes; Whiteman, McCann, Bowler, Frokjaer-Jensen, Greenwood; Jakobsen

Paul Heckingbottom has some fine promotion winning credentials, following his tenure at Sheffield United. After he replaced Ryan Lowe, expectations will eventually see him push for promotion with Preston.

Although it’s not working quite yet, it’s clear to see that Heckingbottom is building a long-term project in Lancashire.

Centre-back Patrick Bauer might miss out this weekend, as he was forced off with a shoulder injury in Preston’s EFL cup clash with Fulham.

Ryan Ledson will be key for the host, who drilled a great strike past Steven Benda in the Fulham goal on Tuesday night.

Blackburn Rovers Preview

Predicted Lineup - Pears; Batth, Carter, Hyam, Beck; Travis, Tronstad, Baker, Dolan, Hedges; Ohashi

Not many could’ve predicted the start John Eustace’s Blackburn Rovers would have to the season, although in hindsight it feels similar to his period at Birmingham City before his untimely sacking.

Full backs Harry Pickering and Callum Britton both remain unavailable for selection, as they have been since the start of the campaign.

Yuki Ohashi will be key for the away side, who’s scored 4 goals in 2 starts, from a ridiculous 1.4XG.

Head To Head Stats: Preston North End vs Blackburn Rovers

This game is quite the derby, given the teams close geographical proximity. The teams have met 113 times throughout history.

Preston are the clear head to head winners in the West Lancashire Derby, winning 47 of their 113 meetings.

The teams have also drawn 32 times in that time, while Blackburn have won 34 of the meetings.

Continuing the trend, Preston North End are unbeaten in their last four meetings with Blackburn rovers. That being said, the home side are without a clean sheet in the sides last 10 meetings.

17th February 2024 - Preston North End 2-2 Blackburn Rovers - EFL Championship

10th November 2023 - Blackburn Rovers 1-2 Preston North End - EFL Championship

22nd April 2023 - Preston North End 1-1 Blackburn Rovers - EFL Championship

10th December 2022 - Blackburn Rovers 1-4 Preston North End - EFL Championship

25nd April 2022 - Preston North End 1-4 Blackburn Rovers - EFL Championship

Betting Tips For Preston North End vs Blackburn Rovers: A Possible Upset?

Despite the start Blackburn have had to the season, it’s clear this fixture is a constant struggle for them in recent years.

Preston’s recent upturn in form, including besting Premier League side Fulham in the Carabao cup, suggest Paul Heckingbottom is moving in the right direction with his Preston side.

We think overall the best value tip is a draw in this game, backed up by our research.

Odds of 12/5 on QuinnBet mean that a £10 bet has the potential to return up to £34 in this match.

(odds subject to change)

Final Prediction: Preston North End vs Blackburn Rovers

Preston North End 1-1 Blackburn Rovers

The match will certainly be an interesting tactical battle between two very adept coaches, and it’ll be interesting to see how things play out.

Given the pedigree we know Heckingbottom possesses, we think a draw is the most likely outcome.