This Week's Opposition: Blackburn Rovers

Kirsty Roxanne provides the lowdown on Portsmouth's next opponent in the SkyBet Championship.

The Blues were victorious in their first home win of the season last time out against Preston North End.

2-0 up at half-time, John Moushino's side sealed the win with a Colby Bishop penalty toward the dying embers of the game.

It’s a trip up North for Pompey’s next challenge as Blackburn Rovers await at Ewood Park.

MANAGER

In the dugout for Rovers is John Eustace.

During his playing career as a central midfielder, Eustace represented Coventry City, Stoke City, Watford and Derby County.

After retiring as a player, he served as manager of Kidderminster Harriers between 2016 and 2018 before becoming assistant manager of Queens Park Rangers - He also had a brief spell as caretaker manager there in 2019.

Eustace then made the move to Birmingham City for his first permanent managerial role in the Football League in July 2022.

The 45-year-old was appointed head coach of Blackburn Rovers on a 2-and-a-half-year deal in February of this year just a few months after being sacked at Birmingham, many would say unfairly.

ONE TO WATCH

Our one to watch on this occasion is midfielder Todd Cantwell.

Cantwell began his career at Norwich City when he joined the club at Under-10 level in 2008, making his first-team debut a decade later in January 2018. 

After making 129 appearances for Norwich across 6 seasons, as well as loan spells at Fortuna Sittard and AFC Bournemouth. Cantwell joined Scottish outfit Rangers in January 2023.

Rovers announced the signing of the number 8 on a 3-year deal in August and he has so far registered 2 assists from 11 appearances.

TOP SCORER

There are currently 2 top goalscorers both with 4 goals each so far this campaign.

Japanese forward Yuk Ohashi is one of them and he started his playing career in the J1 League. At the end of July, Ohashi moved abroad for the first time, signed for Rovers on a 3-year deal from the J1 League in July, scoring The number 23 scored on his debut in a 4-2 win over Derby County.

Andreas Weimann is the other and he started his career with Aston Villa making 129 appearances and netting 24 goals for the Premier League outfit. He also represented Derby County and Bristol City with loan spells at Watford, Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Bromwich Albion. 

The number 14 joined Blackburn this summer too, The number 14 also scored on his debut in the same game as Ohashi, a 4-2 win over Derby.

CURRENT FORM

Rovers currently sit in the top half of the Championship table in 9th, aided by a strong start to the season which saw John Eustace’s side go on a 7-game unbeaten run.

This form has however taken a turn with their last 5 matches resulting in 3 defeats, 1 draw and 1 victory. Blackburn’s most recent win came just before the international break against Cardiff City - That game ended 3-1.

The last time these sides met was in the 2017/18 campaign and the Blues were defeated on both occasions with Rovers promoted to the Championship as runners up behind Wigan Athletic that season.

Can the Blues build on the confidence of that 3-1 win over Preston North End and beat the odds to bring 3 points back to Fratton Park this weekend?

Pompey Live with Aqua Cars returns with all of the unmissable action as Portsmouth take on Blackburn Rovers away from home this Saturday (November 23rd) afternoon from 2pm - Jake Smith, Pepe Lacey and Cliff de Gordon will be reporting on the game at Ewood Park.

Kick-off: 3pm!