Blackburn Rovers vs Sheffield United: Prediction, Team News & Lineups | 25 August 2026

Blackburn Rovers vs Sheffield United prediction: both Championship sides arrive unbeaten, but Blackburn’s stronger attacking start and home advantage may give Tony Mowbray’s men the edge in this EFL Cup second-round tie. Our prediction is Blackburn Rovers 2-1 Sheffield United.

Match Details

• Fixture: Blackburn Rovers vs Sheffield United
• Competition: EFL Cup
• Stage: Second round
• Date: Tuesday, 25 August 2026
• Venue: Ewood Park
• Prediction: Blackburn Rovers 2-1 Sheffield United

Match Preview

Blackburn Rovers return to cup action aiming to maintain their unbeaten start to the 2026-27 campaign and secure a place in the EFL Cup third round.

Tony Mowbray has returned to the club and made an encouraging start, beginning with a dramatic 2-1 first-round win at Burton Albion.

Blackburn trailed until the closing stages of that contest, but Andri Gudjohnsen equalised before Jayden Fevrier scored an 88th-minute winner to complete the turnaround.

Rovers have since collected four points from two difficult Championship fixtures. They opened with a 2-2 draw away at newly-promoted Wolverhampton Wanderers before defeating Middlesbrough, with Gudjohnsen and Todd Cantwell scoring in another second-half comeback.

That gives Blackburn momentum heading back into knockout football, and their ability to recover from difficult positions has already become a feature of their early-season performances.

Sheffield United also arrive unbeaten, although their path has been rather different.

Chris Wilder’s side opened with an emphatic 3-0 EFL Cup victory away at Mansfield Town, with Patrick Bamford, Mark McGuinness and Callum O’Hare scoring.

The Blades have since recorded consecutive goalless Championship draws against Birmingham City and Swansea City.

That makes Sheffield United the only Championship side yet to score in the league, but they are also one of only two teams to have recorded two clean sheets.

Their defensive solidity therefore contrasts sharply with Blackburn’s more eventful attacking start, setting up an intriguing tactical contest at Ewood Park.

Blackburn Rovers Team Analysis

Blackburn have shown greater attacking fluency than their opponents so far, scoring in all three competitive matches and displaying resilience in comeback situations.

Gudjohnsen has been central to that, finding the net in each game. His movement and finishing should again provide the focal point for Mowbray’s side.

Fevrier is pushing for a first start of the season after scoring the winner at Burton, while Mathias Jorgensen may also come into the attacking line.

With Blackburn likely to rotate, the challenge will be preserving the intensity and balance that has underpinned their encouraging Championship start.

Sheffield United Team Analysis

Sheffield United have been difficult to break down but less convincing in attack.

Three consecutive clean sheets across all competitions underline the strength of their defensive organisation, yet the two goalless league draws also highlight an early lack of cutting edge.

Wilder switched to a 3-5-2 shape against Swansea, and that structure may again be used in the cup with several players pushing for starts.

Tom Cannon, Romelle Donovan and Tyrese Campbell are among the attacking options hoping to feature, while Jamie Shackleton and Jairo Riedewald could be introduced in midfield.

Form and Recent Context

Blackburn have recorded two wins and one draw in their opening three competitive games.

Sheffield United have also gone unbeaten, with one cup victory followed by two Championship draws.

The difference lies in attacking output: Blackburn have scored in every game, while Sheffield United have yet to score in the league despite their strong defensive record.

Tactical Battle

Blackburn are likely to try to move the ball quickly through midfield and attack the spaces around Sheffield United’s back three.

If Fevrier and Jorgensen start alongside Gudjohnsen, Rovers should have greater pace and variety around the penalty area.

Sheffield United, by contrast, may prioritise compactness and wing-back width. Doherty and Burrows can stretch the pitch, while Arblaster and Riedewald would be expected to provide control centrally.

The key question is whether the visitors can translate that structure into more threat in the final third. If their league scoring problems continue, Blackburn’s ability to produce decisive moments could prove the difference.

Team News

Blackburn Rovers

Blackburn remain without Moussa Baradji, Dion De Neve, Augustus Kargbo, Lewis Miller and Scott Wharton due to injury.

Mowbray may rotate after fielding a strong side in the first round, with Fevrier and Jorgensen likely to earn starts.

Hayden Carter and Jake Garrett are also candidates to come into the side, while Gudjohnsen could continue in attack after scoring in all three competitive matches this season.

Sheffield United

Kalvin Phillips is not yet fit to feature, while Ryan One also missed the Swansea match through injury.

Wilder has several defensive rotation options, including Doherty, Jamal Baptiste and Rhys Norrington-Davies.

Shackleton and Riedewald may earn first starts, while Cannon, Donovan and Campbell are pushing for opportunities in attack.

Predicted Lineups

Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup

Blackburn Rovers: Toth; Alebiosu, Atcheson, Carter, Ribeiro; Garrett, Forshaw; Fevrier, Ohashi, Jorgensen; Gudjohnsen.

Sheffield United possible starting lineup

Sheffield United: Cooper; Baptiste, McGuinness, Norrington-Davies; Doherty, Riedewald, Arblaster, Burrows; Donovan, Campbell, Cannon.

Betting Tips

Full-time result: Blackburn Rovers to win.

Double chance: Blackburn Rovers or draw.

Both teams to score: Yes.

Over/Under: Over 2.5 goals.

Correct score: Blackburn Rovers 2-1 Sheffield United.

No bookmaker odds are attached because none were supplied.

Score Prediction

Blackburn Rovers 2-1 Sheffield United.

Sheffield United’s defensive record suggests they should remain competitive, but Blackburn have shown more attacking rhythm and have already demonstrated an ability to respond when games turn against them.

Home advantage, Gudjohnsen’s scoring form and the possibility of fresh attacking options such as Fevrier could give Rovers the edge in a close cup tie.

Hot Stat

Andri Gudjohnsen has scored in all three of Blackburn Rovers’ competitive matches at the start of the 2026-27 season.

Final Analysis

This second-round tie brings together two unbeaten Championship teams with contrasting early-season profiles.

Blackburn have been more productive going forward, while Sheffield United have built their start on defensive solidity and three consecutive clean sheets.

With both managers likely to rotate, the match could become more open than the visitors’ league results suggest. Blackburn’s stronger attacking momentum and home advantage make them marginal favourites to progress.