Championship Preview: Preston North End vs Blackburn Rovers - Analysis and Insights

A floundering Preston North End host a high-flying Blackburn Rovers on Sunday in a game that could see the away side move to the top of the table if other results fall in their favor.

Profligate in front of goal, Preston have failed to capitalize on good performances by wasting good opportunities in front of goal, while Blackburn have started the season by thriving in the final third of the pitch.

📐 Sit back and and enjoy 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦 of Yuki Ohashi's second! 🇯🇵#Rovers 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/PaIK7qj7dZ

— Blackburn Rovers (@Rovers) September 16, 2024

As the game approaches, we take a closer look at both sides, investigating strategies, team news, key players and absences that could decide the outcome of the game.

Preston vs Blackburn Standings

Preston have won just one of their opening five games, this being a 1-0 win over Luton in late August. This is one of just three league goals they have scored this season, the root of their poor form despite playing some good football.

They played well and had plenty of chances in defeats to both Sheffield United and Swansea, and picked up a point against Middlesbrough in a rare outing where they were firmly on the back foot.

With their wastefulness in front of goal, this pattern is likely to continue, especially against a side as lethal in attack at Blackburn, and it looks as if some finishing sessions are needed on the training ground sooner rather than later.

There is a silver lining though, as in the Carabao Cup, Preston knocked out Premier League side Fulham with the help of the longest penalty shootout ever seen in the competition. Winning 16-15 from the spot, at least Preston know how to find the net from 12 yards.

Here it is. All 3️⃣4️⃣ penalties from last night's shootout. 🤯#pnefc pic.twitter.com/80Gpvi8XjL

— Preston North End FC (@pnefc) September 18, 2024

Blackburn have had an excellent start to the campaign after finishing a disappointing 19th place finish last season. In losing their best player Sammie Szmodics to Ipswich during the summer, many predicted Rovers to struggle without his presence, the opposite has so far proven true.

They have so far convincingly beaten Derby (4-2) and Bristol City (3-0), with a narrow 2-1 win over Oxford sandwiched in between, and have drawn to Championship powerhouses Norwich City and Burnley to show that they are more than capable of matching up with the big guns of the division.

📺 @RyanHedges95’s delicious dink and Yuki Ohashi’s heroic header earned us a point in East Anglia 🎯#Rovers 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/XDHrWKsz1I

— Blackburn Rovers (@Rovers) August 17, 2024

Yuki Ohashi has been central to their success so far, scoring four goals in the Championship, and a further one in the Carabao Cup, filling the void left by Szmodics more than effectively. If he can continue his and Blackburns fine form, there is only one outcome for this fixture.

Preston vs Blackburn Recent Meetings

• 17/02/2024: Preston 2-2 Blackburn.
• 10/11/2023: Blackburn 1-2 Preston.
• 22/04/2023: Preston 1-1 Blackburn.
• 10/12/2022: Blackburn 1-4 Preston.
• 25/04/2022: Preston 1-4 Blackburn.

Preston vs Blackburn Team News

Despite their impressive win against Fulham, Preston suffered multiple injuries during the game, losing both Duane Holmes and Patrick Bauer in the second half. The good news for Preston is that Liam Lindsay returns to the squad after serving his one game suspension following two yellow cards in the defeat to Oxford United.

Blackburn are only missing right back Callum Brittain, after he went off towards the end of their draw to Burnley, but they also have striker Mahktar Gueye returning from suspension, after picking up two yellow cards in the same fixture.

Preston vs Blackburn Predicted Lineups

• Preston (4-2-3-1): Woodman (GK), Potts, Storey, Whatmough, Hughes, Whiteman, McCann, Greenwood, Frokjaer-Jension, Okkels, Jacobsen.
• Blackburn (4-2-3-1): Pears (GK), Carter, Batth, Hyam, Beck, Tronstad, Travis, Hedges, Weimann, Baker, Ohashi.

Preston vs Blackburn Player to Watch

As mentioned earlier, Yuki Ohashi has been electric so far for Blackburn, scoring a total of five goals already this season, and lying in second place in the Championship golden boot race behind West Brom’s Josh Maja.

Playing up top, with the more than capable Lewis Baker, Ryan Hedges, and former Aston Villa forward Andreas Weimann (who also has two goals) flanking him, Blackburn have a very effective mix of new talent and Championship-proven players, creating a lethal mix of unknown ability and experience up top.

⚽️ Andreas Weimann's derby day stunner for @Rovers has been voted the @SkyBet Goal of the Month for August! 👏#EFL | #SkyBetChampionship pic.twitter.com/wk3RpK4qz8

— Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp) September 20, 2024

It is a front line no team wants to play against in their current form, and if the three forwards keep feeding Ohashi, he will inevitably drag them to a result whoever the opposition is. Keep an eye out not just for Ohashi, but for the entire Blackburn front line.