Portsmouth, deep in the thick of a relegation scrap, head to Ewood Park on Wednesday for a Championship showdown against Blackburn Rovers.
The Rovers, who were once riding high with six straight league wins, have hit a snag in the road. Their momentum came to a screeching halt with a 1-0 loss to Millwall, and they’ve been struggling to regain their footing ever since.
Meanwhile, Pompey’s woes extended beyond the league, as they stumbled out of the FA Cup in the third round. A 2-0 defeat to League One side Wycombe Wanderers served as a bitter pill to swallow.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the latest lineup news.
Blackburn Rovers vs. Portsmouth live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this EFL Championship match in the U.S.:
This match will not be broadcast live on TV in the United States, and streaming options are also unavailable for fans in the U.S.
However, you can still watch EFL Championship matches all season long on Paramount+, which is currently offering a FREE trial to new members.
What time does Blackburn Rovers vs. Portsmouth kick off?
This EFL Championship clash takes place at Ewood Park in Blackburn, England and kicks off on Wednesday, January 15 at 7:45 p.m. local time.
Here’s how that time translates across the U.S.:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Eastern Time | Wed, Jan. 15 | 2:45 p.m. |
| Central Time | Wed, Jan. 15 | 1:45 p.m. |
| Mountain Time | Wed, Jan. 15 | 12:45 p.m. |
| Pacific Time | Wed, Jan. 15 | 11:45 a.m. |
Blackburn Rovers vs. Portsmouth lineups, team news
Blackburn will likely have to soldier on without four key players—Hayden Carter, Yuki Ohashi, Lewis Travis, and Arnor Sigurdsson—all sidelined due to injuries.
There’s a silver lining, though. Ryan Hedges and Amario Cozier-Duberry, who both missed the recent cup triumph over Middlesbrough because of illness, could return to bolster the squad.
Meanwhile, veteran midfielder Adam Forshaw, freshly signed on a free transfer after parting ways with Plymouth Argyle, is expected to make an appearance on the bench, adding some experienced depth to the lineup.
Blackburn Rovers predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Pears (GK) — Brittain, Hyam, Batth, Beck — Buckley, Tronstad — Cozier-Duberry, Cantwell, Dolan — Gueye
Injured: Carter, Sigurdsson
Suspended: None
Portsmouth still have a hefty injury list to contend with, as Mark O’Mahony, Kusini Yengi, Regan Poole, Conor Shaughnessy, Ibane Bowat, and Jacob Farrell remain unavailable.
On a brighter note, skipper Marlon Pack is back in the mix after serving his one-match suspension following that costly red card in the narrow 1-0 loss to Sunderland.
Adding a fresh spark to the midfield, Isaac Hayden is set to be part of the squad for this clash, having recently joined Pompey on loan from Newcastle United.
Portsmouth predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Schmid (GK) — Swanson, Towler, Atkinson, Ogilvie — Potts, Dozzell — Ritchie, Lang, Murphy — Bishop
Injured: Bowat
Suspended: None
Blackburn Rovers vs. Portsmouth Prediction
Blackburn have had the upper hand in this matchup, winning four of their last five showdowns with Portsmouth.
Given Pompey’s struggles on the road, with four straight away losses in the Championship, it’s hard to bet against Rovers adding another win to their collection in Wednesday’s encounter.
- Prediction: Blackburn Rovers 3-1 Portsmouth
EFL Championship fixture schedule this week
All times ET
Tuesday, January 14
- Cardiff City vs. Watford (2:45 p.m.)
- Plymouth Argyle vs. Oxford United (2:45 p.m.)
Wednesday, January 15
- Blackburn Rovers vs. Portsmouth (2:45 p.m)
