Preston vs Blackburn Prediction, H2H and probable line-ups, November 21, 2025

By Author On Nov 21, 2025

The international break is finally done, and we’re jumping straight back into Championship action with a spicy Lancashire derby: Preston North End vs Blackburn Rovers. These two don’t exactly like each other, and the table is tight enough that a win here could shift a lot of things around. Let’s break down everything before kickoff—from form and injuries to predictions and betting ideas.

Current Form Guide

Preston North End

Preston have been a bit of a mixed bag lately. They’ve shown fight at home this season, but consistency is the big issue. One week they look sharp and full of energy, the next they struggle to create chances. Still, at Deepdale they’re always dangerous, and their midfield tends to control games better on their own turf.

Blackburn Rovers

Blackburn have also had their wobbles, but they come into this game looking slightly more confident. They’ve scored in most of their recent matches, though defensively they still leak goals they really shouldn’t. If they can tighten up at the back, they’ll feel like they can grab something from this derby.

Head-to-Head (H2H)

These two always give us tight, sometimes scrappy matches.

Recent meetings usually stay low to mid-scoring.
Preston tend to do better at home.
Blackburn often grow into the game in the second half.

Both sides know how much this fixture means to their fans, so expect a bit more intensity and maybe a couple of tough tackles flying in.

Team News

Preston

They should have most of their usual starters available, though a few players returning from international duty might be monitored. The manager will likely stick to the balanced setup they’ve been using—solid midfield, wide play, and a striker who drops deep to link things.

Blackburn

Blackburn have a couple of knocks but nothing too major. Their attack looks set, and the main question will be how the backline shapes up. They sometimes rotate their full-backs based on the opponent, so that’s something to watch for.

Probable Line-ups

Preston (Expected XI)

GK: Woodman
DEF: Potts, Storey, Lindsay, Brady
MID: Whiteman, Browne, Johnson
ATT: McCann, Riis, Keane

Blackburn (Expected XI)

GK: Pears
DEF: Travis, Hyam, Carter, Pickering
MID: Garrett, Tronstad, Moran
ATT: Szmodics, Dolan, Gallagher

(Line-ups are projected and may change.)

Players to Watch

Sammie Szmodics (Blackburn) – Always a threat, always moving, and he doesn’t need many chances to make something happen.

Emil Riis (Preston) – If he’s fully fit and sharp, his pace and direct running could be huge in this match.

Alan Browne (Preston) – The kind of player who turns up for a derby.

Tyrhys Dolan (Blackburn) – Can cause chaos on the break if Preston’s fullbacks push too high.

Match Prediction

This one feels close—like it usually is. Preston at home are tough, but Blackburn’s attack looks a bit more reliable right now.

Prediction: Preston 1–1 Blackburn
A draw feels the most realistic, with both teams probably getting good spells but not fully dominating.

Betting Tips

Both Teams to Score – Yes: Both sides have goal threats and shaky defensive moments.
Under 3.5 Goals: Derby energy, but usually not a goal-fest.
Szmodics to Score Anytime: He’s been carrying Blackburn’s attacking spark this season.
Second-Half Goal – Yes: These two often come alive after halftime.

Always bet responsibly!

Wrap-Up

Preston vs Blackburn is always one of those fixtures where form doesn’t matter too much—it’s all about who handles the derby pressure better. Preston will trust their home crowd to push them on, while Blackburn will fancy their chances of sneaking something on the counter. Whatever happens, it should be a fun one to watch.