Middlesbrough v Blackburn Rovers: promotion push meets survival bid | OneFootball

Middlesbrough host Blackburn Rovers in the Championship at the Riverside Stadium on 26 December 2025, with the home side defending an automatic promotion place and the visitors trying to push away from the lower reaches.

Middlesbrough are 2nd on 42 points while Blackburn Rovers sit 20th with 25. In the recent head to head, the visitors have had the edge, winning eight of the last 19 meetings, with three wins for the hosts and eight draws.

Boro have momentum after four wins in their last five league games, while Blackburn Rovers have steadied with one win and three draws in their past five.

Injuries could shape selections. Boro remain without Darragh Lenihan and Riley McGree. For Blackburn Rovers, Andri Gudjohnsen, Scott Wharton and Hayden Carter are sidelined. Gudjohnsen leads their league scoring with seven goals.

On the ball, Boro average 56% possession with 83.94% pass accuracy and have relied on open play, with no set piece goals recorded so far. They could look to feed Morgan Whittaker, who has eight league goals. Blackburn Rovers' delivery from wide areas and strong aerial output may be a route, with regular crossing and significant aerial duels won potentially testing Boro's back line.

Boro could strengthen their grip on the automatic places with a Boxing Day win. Blackburn Rovers, fresh from a home victory last time out, may pull further clear of the bottom three if they take points on Teesside.