Portsmouth v Blackburn Rovers: lower-half rivals eye momentum | OneFootball

Portsmouth host Blackburn Rovers in the Championship at Fratton Park on Saturday, 19 September 2026, with the hosts 18th on seven points and the visitors 16th with eight as both look to build momentum.

Portsmouth took four points off Blackburn Rovers last season and are unbeaten in the last two meetings, including a 2-1 home win before a 1-1 draw away. The historical edge is narrow, but it frames a tight contest between sides separated by one point.

Recent league form is mixed. Portsmouth have two wins, one draw and three defeats from six, including a 2-0 home victory over Cardiff City and a goalless draw at Charlton Athletic. Blackburn Rovers have two wins, two draws and three losses from seven, but beat Millwall 3-1 last time out in the league.

Both squads carry notable injuries. Portsmouth list Joshua Murphy, Connor Ogilvie, Keshi Anderson, Mark Kosznovszky, Marko Milovanovic, Franco Umeh-Chibueze, Thomas Waddingham and Luke Brooke-Smith as out. Blackburn Rovers are without Adam Forshaw, Yuri Ribeiro, Scott Wharton, Mathias Jorgensen, Augustus Kargbo, Yuki Ohashi, Lewis Miller and Matty Litherland.

On trends, Portsmouth average 54% possession and two clean sheets from six, while Blackburn Rovers' crossing looks a route to goal. They have three headed goals and a 16.85 cross accuracy from open play, compared with Portsmouth's 10.42. Andri Gudjohnsen has three league goals, with Oladapo Afolayan contributing goals and assists, so wide service could be key for the visitors.

A home win would move Portsmouth to 10 points and ease them away from the bottom three. Blackburn Rovers would reach 11 points with victory and could climb towards mid-table, keeping in touch with the early play-off picture.