Derby v Blackburn Rovers: top-half push meets survival fight | OneFootball

Derby County host Blackburn Rovers in the Championship at Pride Park Stadium on Saturday, 28 February 2026, with the hosts eyeing a reset against opponents looking to pull clear of the bottom end.

Derby County start 11th on 48 points, while Blackburn Rovers are 20th. Rovers won the reverse fixture in November.

The Rams come in off back-to-back league defeats and three losses in their last five. Blackburn have three wins in their last five, beating Queens Park Rangers away and Preston at home before losing to Bristol City.

Injuries bite both squads. Derby are without goalkeeper Jacob Zetterström and forward Ben Brereton Díaz among others. Blackburn are missing goalkeeper Aynsley Pears, defender Scott Wharton and midfielder Todd Cantwell, with several others also sidelined.

Blackburn Rovers average 50% possession and deliver high crossing volume from open play, with 534 centres at 20.04% accuracy. Derby have scored 49 league goals and carry a clear aerial threat with 13 headed goals, so wide deliveries and set pieces could be a route for the hosts to exploit.

A home win would move Derby to 51 points and could edge them closer to the play-off picture. Victory for Blackburn Rovers would take them to 41 points and may lift them up the table, easing relegation pressure.