Match Preview: Blackburn Rovers vs Derby County - Expert Analysis

The Championship 2024/25 season begins this Friday as Blackburn Rovers host Derby County under the lights in what is expected to be a close affair.

Blackburn Rovers vs Derby County Standings

Blackburn finished 19th in the Championship last season, just 3 points above the relegation zone, proving the gap between them and newly promoted Derby isn't too big, considering they could've easily swapped leagues this summer.

As mentioned previously, Derby County won themselves promotion from League One last season by finishing second behind Portsmouth and 5 points clear of the play-off places.

Blackburn Rovers vs Derby County head to head

Blackburn 3-1 Derby - 15/03/2022

Derby 1-2 Blackburn - 30/10/2021

Blackburn 2-1 Derby - 16/04/2021

Derby 0-4 Blackburn - 26/09/2020

Derby 3-0 Blackburn - 08/03/2020

Blackburn Rovers vs Derby County top scorers

Blackburn Rovers 2023/24

1. Sammie Szmodics - 27 goals
2. Tyrhys Dolan - 5 goals
3. Arnór Sigurðsson - 5 goals

Derby County 2023/24

1. James Collins (Cardiff City) - 14 goals
2. Nathaniel Mendez-Laing - 9 goals
3. Martyn Waghorn (Free Agent) - 7 goals

Blackburn Rovers vs Derby County Team News

Sammie Szmodics is set to miss this match due to uncertainty around his future at Blackburn Rovers.

Blackburn Rovers vs Derby County Predicted Line-ups

Blackburn Rovers: Pears; Brittain, Carter, Hyam, Pickering; Tronstad, Travis; Rankin-Costello, Dolan, Hedges; Gueye.

Derby County: Vickers; Nyambe, Nelson, Cashin, Elder; Ozoh, Goudmijn, Osborn; Barkhuizen, Jackson, Mendez-Laing.

Blackburn Rovers vs Derby County Player to Watch

With Sammie Szmodics unlikely to feature due to his ongoing transfer saga, the player to watch in this match in his absence is Tyrhys Dolan.

At 22 years of Age the Blackburn Forward recorded the second highest number of goal involvements for the club in the Championship last season with 9 goals and assists.

Without Szmodics in the team there will be a struggle for Blackburn but this is the perfect opportunity for someone else to take charge and I believe Tyrhys Dolan is that someone.

Where can I watch Blackburn Rovers vs Derby County?

This match is available to watch in the UK on Sky Sports Football.