Who holds the upper hand in one of English football’s competitive Championship fixtures? Blackburn Rovers and Middlesbrough have faced each other 45 times since 1995, creating a rivalry filled with memorable encounters and shifting momentum. Blackburn maintains a historical advantage with 19 wins compared to Middlesbrough’s 11, while 15 matches have ended in draws.
The historical edge
Blackburn Rovers’ dominance in this fixture is evident not just in wins but also in goal-scoring. They’ve netted 42 goals against Middlesbrough, averaging 0.9 goals per match. Middlesbrough have scored 36 goals in these encounters, averaging 0.8 goals per game. This slight offensive edge has often been the difference-maker in tight contests between these Championship sides.
The rivalry has seen periods of dominance shift between both clubs. While Blackburn holds the historical advantage, recent form suggests Middlesbrough might be turning the tide in this long-standing battle.
Recent form and momentum
The momentum in this fixture appears to be swinging toward Middlesbrough. In their most recent clash on April 4, 2025, Middlesbrough secured a convincing 2-0 victory against Blackburn in the Championship. This continues Middlesbrough’s impressive recent form, having won four and drawn one of their last five matches against all opponents.
Blackburn’s recent performance has been more inconsistent. They’ve won two, drawn one, and lost two in their last five matches. This inconsistency has cost them valuable points in the Championship standings and has allowed Middlesbrough to gain ground in their head-to-head record.
Notable recent encounters
The rivalry has produced several memorable matches in recent years, On September 16, 2023, Blackburn edged Middlesbrough 2-1 in a tightly contested Championship fixture. Less than a year earlier, on December 29, 2022, Middlesbrough claimed victory by the same scoreline.
Cup competitions have also featured this rivalry. Blackburn secured a narrow 1-0 win against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup on January 11, 2025. These cup fixtures often bring additional intensity to an already competitive matchup.
Betting patterns and scoring trends
The betting markets reflect the competitive nature of this fixture, Blackburn historically holds a higher Asian Handicap win percentage, though recent data indicates Middlesbrough performing better in this metric. This shift aligns with Middlesbrough’s improved results against Blackburn.
Regarding goals, these matches have been relatively balanced. The total goals over percentage hovers around 50% across all their encounters. This suggests that while goals are scored, these matches rarely turn into high-scoring affairs. The tactical approach of both teams often results in tight, competitive matches where defensive organization plays a crucial role.
What to expect moving forward
The Blackburn Rovers vs Middlesbrough rivalry continues to be one of the Championship’s most intriguing fixtures. With 45 matches played since 1995, there’s plenty of history between these clubs. Blackburn’s historical advantage of 19 wins to 11 gives them bragging rights, but Middlesbrough’s recent form suggests they’re narrowing this gap.
Their most recent encounter saw Middlesbrough claim a 2-0 victory, demonstrating their current superiority. As both teams continue to battle in the Championship, this rivalry promises more memorable encounters in the seasons ahead.