Eng. Championship
2026-02-20 - Blackburn Rovers vs Preston NE
A Sports Betting Pick by ArmchairPunter
Football : England: Championship
Venue: Ewood Park
Friday 20th February 2026, 2000hrs (GMT)
Blackburn Rovers collected a second win in three games in the Championship last weekend when Rovers inflicted a heavy 3-1 win over QPR in the nation’s capital in what was a watching brief for new Blackburn manager, Michael O’Neill.
O’Neill will take over the dugout in earnest on Friday night as he looks to steer his new club further away from the relegation zone with a positive result in this upcoming all-Lancashire affair against rivals Preston NE at Ewood Park.
A previous 1-0 home win against Sheffield Wednesday started what could become a revival for Blackburn Rovers as the hosts now occupy 20th place in the table where they hold a three-point cushion over third from bottom club, Leicester City.
Preston NE meanwhile sit in 8th place in the second tier table and level on points with 6th placed Derby County ahead of Friday night’s local derby at Ewood Park, so needless to say that Paul Heckingbottom’s side will also be keen to pick up all three points as they look to break into the top six pack.
After enduring a four-match losing streak which included being dealt three defeats in the Championship by way of losses at the hands of Derby County, Hull City and Middlesbrough respectively, The Lilywhites have put together a three-match unbeaten run.
Points picked up in draws with Ipswich Town and Watford have been either side of a 1-0 home win against Portsmouth, which has kept the visitors in the hunt for a possible play-off spot.
The Betting Verdict
Local derbies often throw the form book out the window and with both Blackburn Rovers and Preston NE needing all three points for differing reasons along with four of the last five meetings resulting in Over 2.5 goals, the goals market looks appealing here.
The Pick :
Blackburn Rovers 2-1 Preston NE
