This Week's Opposition: Blackburn Rovers

Take a closer look at the Blues' next Championship opponent.

The Blues have now suffered 3 consecutive defeats with the most recent one coming against Swansea in midweek in South Wales.

We head back to PO4 now for the next test, Blackburn Rovers.

MANAGER

Valerin Ismaël is head coach of Rovers.

After an extensive playing career as a defender over 15 years he retired at Hannover. The former France Under-21 international moved into management with the German outfit's second team.

Ismaël also had successful spells with FC Nürnberg and Vfl Wolfsburg, before spells in Greece and Austria with Apollon Smyrnis and LASK, who he guided to a first ever appearance in the Champions League Play-Offs, as well as the group stage of the Europa League, before Ismaël moved to England to take charge of Barnsley in October 2020.

After his spell at Barnsley, The 49-year-old gained further Championship experience with West Brom and Watford, along with a period at Turkish top-flight club Besiktas before arriving at Ewood Park as the first French head coach in Blackburn’s history.

ONE TO WATCH

Number 25 Ryoya Morishita is our one to watch.

He started his senior career with Japanese side Sagan Tosu before joining Nagoya Grampus in December 2020. Morishita spent three years with the club in the J League. He initially joined Legia Warsaw on loan in January 2024.

Morishita contributed 14 goals and 14 assists across all competitions, including a goal and 2 assists in the Polish Cup final victory over Pogon Szczecin.

The versatile attacking player joined Rovers from Polish side Legia Warsaw on a 3-year deal until June 2028. Morishita scored his first goal for the club weeks after signing in a 1-0 victory at Watford this September.

The Japanese international has 3 assists and 1 goal.

TOP SCORER

Andri Gudjohnsen is the leading scorer for Blackburn.

Having spells at both Barcelona and Real Madrid during his youth career, he signed his first professional contract with Real Madrid and was named in their Champions League Squad in 2021.

Gudjohnsen also played for Swedish side IFK Norrkoping and Danish Superliga side Lyngby on a season-long loan, before making the permanent move to Belgian club KAA Gent.

Whilst at Gent, he scored 5 goals in 46 appearances last season for the Belgian Pro League Club. This summer the 23-year-old put pen-to-paper on a 3-year-contract at Ewood Park.

Gudjohsen made his Iceland debut in September 2021 and has nearly made a half-century of caps for his country.

So far this season he has netted 6 goals.

CURRENT FORM

Rovers are down with the Blues in a relegation battle, however they are still currently in safety in 20th with 22 points.

In their last 3 matches, they have picked up 3 points with all results ending in a 1-1 draw.

Can the Blues come out on top at home with a crucial win?

Tune in from 2pm on Saturday (December 13th) afternoon to find out - Jake Smith, Kirsty Roxanne and James Wilson will be LIVE at Fratton Park to deliver full coverage of Portsmouth vs Blackburn Rovers on Express FM.

Kick-off: 3pm!