This Week's Opposition: Blackburn Rovers Women

A closer look at the Blues' opponents for the final match of the 2024/25 Barclays Women's Championship season.

The Blues came from behind last Sunday against Bristol City to secure another point in the race for Championship survival.

Our last game of the season awaits as Blackburn head to PO4.

MANAGER

Head coach for Rovers is Simon Parker.

The 37-year old began his Head Coach journey in the FA Women’s National League with Southampton Women back in 2016. He was awarded an 89% win rate across his two-and-a-half year stint.

Following a record-breaking season as head coach with Lewes, Parker also added European experience with a move to Portuguese side SC Unaiāo Torreense.

After returning to England to take charge of Rovers last year, he helped take the club from relegation battlers to their first top-half finish since earning promotion to the Championship half a decade ago.

ONE TO WATCH

Our one to watch is Ellie Noble.

Noble permanently joined Rovers in the summer after departing last season's promotion outfit Crystal Palace.

The 24-year-old is a consistent performer and spent the last half of the 23/24 season on loan at Oxford United.

The midfielder wears the number 8 shirt.

TOP SCORER

There are 2 top goalscorers for the Rovers Tyler Toland and Farah Crompton. Both bagging 3 league goals each.

Toland started her professional career in 2017, making appearances in both the Scottish Women’s Premier League and the Women’s Premiership in Northern Ireland.

The Republic of Ireland international joined Blackburn in 2023. She was awarded the newcomer of the year award last season for her contributions.

Toland captains the side this season and wears the number 4 shirt.

Compton signed her first professional contract with the club ahead of the upcoming 2022/23 season.

She scored in the first game of the season against London City Lionesses. Since started the season with 2 goals in 2 games, Compton’s 3rd goal contribution came against Durham at the start of November. She has struggled to find the back of the net since.

The Forward wears the number 7 shirt.

CURRENT FORM

Rovers currently occupy 9th in the league. 2 points above the Blues in 10th.

In their last 5 matches, Blackburn have accumulated 5 points, recording 1 win, 2 draws and 2 defeats. Their most recent point came in a 0-0 scoreline against relegation rivals Sheffield United.

Rovers and the Blues have met twice this campaign already, in the league it was Blackburn who came out on top with a 2-0 victory. However the Blues knocked Rovers out of the FA Cup at the beginning of this year netting 3 goals to 1.

With Championship safety on the line and the final game of the season for the Blues, can they dig deep and secure all 3 points at Fratton Park?

Join James Wilson, Kirsty Roxanne and Henry Deacon for all of the unmissable action as Pompey Live returns for full coverage of the match this Sunday (April 27th) from 1pm!

Kick-off: 2pm!