Blackburn Rovers vs Middlesbrough: Match Preview, Predictions, and Team News

Mo. Basuony

Published: March 21, 2026 9:36 AM ET

Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off at Ewood Park pits a struggling Blackburn Rovers side against promotion-chasing Middlesbrough. Both clubs carry clear objectives. Rovers fight to avoid relegation, while Boro bid to return to the Premier League.

This Blackburn Rovers vs Middlesbrough: Match Preview, Predictions, and Team News piece examines form, injuries and likely XIs. The contest comes late in the 2025-26 Championship season. Each point will matter with eight games remaining.

Current form and context

Blackburn sit 19th in the table. They are engaged in a relegation battle with several clubs.

Rovers ended a four-game winless run with a 2-1 victory at Millwall. Mathias Jorgensen scored twice after Millwall went down to ten men. That win moved Blackburn three points clear of the drop zone.

Middlesbrough occupy second place. They chase promotion after a nine-year absence from the Premier League.

Boro’s momentum has slowed. They have won only two of their last seven matches. The side collected one point across their last two fixtures.

Home and away records

Blackburn have the Championship’s second-worst home points tally. They have 18 points from 19 games at Ewood Park. Their home form remains a major concern.

Middlesbrough have prospered on the road. They have won five of their last six away matches. They beat Blackburn 2-0 at Ewood Park in April 2025.

Recent key results

Blackburn 2-1 Millwall — Jorgensen brace, Millwall red card (Zak Sturge).
Blackburn 1-1 Portsmouth — Hayden Carter scored a stoppage-time equaliser.
Middlesbrough 1-1 Bristol City — Leo Castledine scored before a late Bristol equaliser.
Middlesbrough lost 1-0 at home to Charlton Athletic in a recent outing.

Team News

Blackburn will be without several players for selection. Goalkeeper Aynsley Pears and attackers Augustus Kargbo and Andri Gudjohnsen are absent.

Other unavailable Rovers include Lewis Miller, Sondre Tronstad and Ryan Hedges. Defender Hayden Carter is a doubt after a hamstring problem.

Middlesbrough also face absences. Alfie Jones, Alex Bangura, Darragh Lenihan and Sammy Silvera are likely out.

Dael Fry hopes to return after a two-match layoff. Hayden Hackney requires assessment following his recent substitution.

Potential starting XIs

Blackburn (possible): Toth; Atcheson, McLoughlin, Cashin; Alebiosu, Gardner-Hickman, Forshaw, Ribeiro; Morishita, Cantwell; Jorgensen.
Middlesbrough (possible): Brynn; Brittain, Ayling, Malanda, Targett; Whittaker, Browne, Morris, McGree, Castledine; Strelec.