# Blackburn Rovers vs Sunderland: Football Rivalry

By: Gordon

Blackburn Rovers and Sunderland share a storied football rivalry characterized by competitive balance and moderate to high-scoring encounters. With over 50 matches played between them, the head-to-head record remains remarkably even, with Sunderland winning 22 matches, Blackburn claiming 21 victories, and 10 draws between them.

Recent fixtures have produced notable results, including Sunderland’s commanding 5-1 victory in April 2024 and their 3-1 away win in September 2023.

Historical head-to-head record

The rivalry between these two clubs spans decades, with a total of 53 recorded matches according to most reliable sources. The competitive balance is evident in the statistics: Sunderland’s 22 wins against Blackburn’s 21, with 10 draws completing the record. This near-even distribution of results underscores the competitive nature of this fixture.

In more recent encounters, Blackburn has slightly edged ahead with approximately 10 wins from the last 23-27 meetings, while Sunderland has secured 7-8 victories during the same period. The remaining 9 matches ended in draws, further emphasizing how closely matched these teams have been.

Goals have been a consistent feature in these matches, with an average of 2.41 goals per game when combining both teams’ scoring. Individually, Sunderland averages 1.36 goals per match while Blackburn scores at a rate of 1.23 goals per game.

Recent notable encounters

The 2023-2024 season has produced some particularly memorable clashes between these sides. Sunderland’s emphatic 5-1 victory on April 1, 2024, stands as one of the most dominant performances in recent meetings. This followed their impressive 3-1 away win at Blackburn’s Ewood Park on September 20, 2023.

Blackburn has also enjoyed success, securing a solid 2-0 home win against Sunderland on October 18, 2022. These results demonstrate that both teams have been capable of strong performances both at home and on the road in recent seasons.

The fixture has recently featured two consecutive draws, indicating periods where the teams have been particularly evenly matched. Such streaks are characteristic of this rivalry, with momentum often shifting between the two sides ove r time.

| Recent Results | Score | Date |
|—————-|——-|——|
| Sunderland win | 5-1 | April 1, 2024 |
| Sunderland win | 3-1 | September 20, 2023 |
| Blackburn win | 2-0 | October 18, 2022 |

Home advantage analysis

Home advantage has played a significant role in this fixture. Sunderland has demonstrated particular strength at the Stadium of Light, winning 12 out of 23 home games against Blackburn. This represents a win rate of approximately 52% when playing on home soil.

Blackburn has similarly enjoyed home advantage at Ewood Park, though specific statistics show they’ve been slightly less dominant at home than Sunderland. Nevertheless, their 2-0 victory in October 2022 demonstrates their capability to leverage home support effectively.

The away form for both teams has been more variable, with Sunderland’s recent 3-1 away win at Blackburn showing their ability to perform on the road. These patterns suggest that while home advantage matters in this fixture, both teams have demonstrated the capacity to secure results regardless of venue.

Scoring patterns and match characteristics

The Blackburn Rovers vs Sunderland fixture typically produces entertaining, goal-filled encounters. With an average of 2.41 goals per match, fans can generally expect to see attacking football when these teams meet.

Sunderland’s home matches frequently feature multiple goals, with 69.23% of their home games producing over 1.5 goals and 50% seeing over 2.5 goals. Blackburn’s away matches are slightly less prolific but still offer good value for spectators, with 55.17% featuring over 1.5 goals and 37.93% producing over 2.5 goals.

Clean sheets occur in approximately 32% of matches between these sides, while both teams score (BTTS) in about 41.5% of encounters. This suggests that while goals are common, defensive solidity remains an important factor in determining the outcome of these matches.

The statistical balance between these teams, combined with their tendency to produce goals, makes the Blackburn Rovers vs Sunderland fixture one of the more intriguing matchups in English football.