This Week's Opposition: Blackburn Rovers

Kirsty Roxanne digs a little deeper into Blackburn Rovers, Portsmouth's next opponent in the SkyBet Championship.

After the international break, the Blues are back in PO4 to welcome Blackburn Rovers down to the South Coast.

With 8 cup finals left of the 2024/25 campaign, let’s take a closer look into our opposition for the first of them.

MANAGER

There is a new man in the dugout for Rovers Valérien Ismaël.

The former Barnsley, West Bromwich Albion and Watford boss replaced head coach John Eustace, who left Rovers to take the Derby County job back in February.

Following a playing career that included a spell in the Premier League with Crystal Palace, he moved into management with Hannover 96’s reserves in 2011. He has also worked in Greece, Austria and Turkey.

Ismaël led Barnsley to the Championship Play-Offs in his first season at Oakwell, though his spells at West Brom and Watford were less successful - He was sacked by The Hornets in March last year after a run of just 1 win in 10 matches.

Ismaël signed a 3-and-half-year deal at Ewood Park.

ONE TO WATCH

Tyrhys Dolan is our one to watch this weekend.

The 23-year-old initially joined the academy of Manchester City at the age of 7 and then spent 3 years at Burnley before making a move to Preston North End in 2017, turning pro 3 years later.

Dolan had a loan spell at Clitheroe in 2020, making 4 appearances and scoring 2 goals.

The number 10 signed his first professional contract with Blackburn Rovers in July 2020 and so far this season, he has bagged 4 goals and 5 assists.

TOP SCORER

Number 14, Andreas Weimann is the current top goalscorer with 7 league goals.

He was signed by Aston Villa as a 16-year-old and went on to make 129 appearances for the Premier League club, scoring 24 goals.

The Austrian international joined Rovers on a 1-year-deal in the summer and scored on his debut in a 4-2 win over former club Derby.

The forward will however miss the meeting at Fratton Park after a scan revealed he will need to sit out for the rest of the season owing to a knee injury.

CURRENT FORM

Rovers have struggled with form as of late with their last 5 matches only accumulating 1 point from a possible 15.

Ismaël’s side currently sit in 9th - 5 points behind West Brom who currently occupy the final Play-Off position in 6th.

In the reverse fixture on the 15th of January, Rovers came out on top with a 3-0 win at Ewood Park, with all 3 goals coming in the second half within just 15 minutes of each other.

Can the Blues gather all 3 points at PO4?

Pompey Live on Express FM will return this Saturday (March 29th) afternoon from 2pm with full coverage of Blackburn Rovers vs Portsmouth in the Championship - Jake Smith will be joined alongside Kirsty Roxanne and James Wilson in the South Stand press box at Fratton Park.

Kick-off: 3pm!