Middlesbrough 0-0 Blackburn Rovers: Post-match review, Stats, Key moments

Dive into Ladbrokes’ post-match review of Middlesbrough 0-0 Blackburn Rovers in the Championship on Friday, 26 December 2025, with stats, key moments and our take on the match.

Middlesbrough and Blackburn Rovers played out a goalless draw with a final score of 0-0. The game started with an early change for Middlesbrough as George Edmundson replaced Alfie Jones in the 17th minute, before Alex Gilbert picked up a yellow card in the 31st for the home side. Blackburn’s Ryoya Morishita was booked two minutes later, and he was substituted by Moussa Baradji just before the break, setting up a cautious first half where neither team broke through.

At half-time, Middlesbrough made two more switches with Dael Fry replacing George Edmundson and Sverre Nypan coming on for Micah Hamilton, while the second period saw Moussa Baradji cautioned in the 57th minute for Blackburn. Alan Browne replaced Alex Gilbert in the 67th for Middlesbrough, followed by Alex Bangura coming on for Matt Targett in the 73rd, and Hayden Hackney’s yellow card in the 80th added to the tension without altering the scoreline. Coming off a mixed run including a recent loss to Bristol City but wins over QPR, Charlton and Hull, Middlesbrough will see this as a point gained, while Blackburn’s draw extends their patchy form with a win over Millwall but losses and draws elsewhere.

The match was evenly contested, with Middlesbrough edging possession at 53% to Blackburn’s 47%, suggesting they controlled the ball slightly more but failed to convert it into clear chances. Corners were level at four each, and successful dribbles stood at 50 for both sides, pointing to balanced attacking threats without either team dominating in transitions. Yellow cards were also even with two apiece, reflecting a scrappy affair, while both managers used all five substitutions to try and shift momentum, though no assists or penalties were recorded to break the deadlock.

Middlesbrough’s changes started early at 17 minutes when George Edmundson came on for Alfie Jones, followed by half-time swaps of Dael Fry for George Edmundson and Sverre Nypan for Micah Hamilton, then Alan Browne for Alex Gilbert at 67 minutes and Alex Bangura for Matt Targett at 73. Blackburn responded with Moussa Baradji replacing Ryoya Morishita just before the interval, Taylor Gardner-Hickman for Sondre Tronstad and Harry Pickering for Ryan Hedges both at 76 minutes, plus late entries of N. Dlamini for Axel Henriksson at 90+2 and Yuri Ribeiro for Todd Cantwell at 90+3, but these tweaks couldn’t force a winner in a game without reds or injury-time drama.

The contest hinged on a series of bookings and tactical adjustments rather than goals, with Alex Gilbert’s yellow card in the 31st minute for Middlesbrough coming amid a tense opening spell, quickly followed by Ryoya Morishita’s caution for Blackburn two minutes later. Half-time brought fresh legs for Middlesbrough as Dael Fry and Sverre Nypan entered for George Edmundson and Micah Hamilton respectively, while Blackburn’s Moussa Baradji, who had replaced Morishita just before the break, picked up his own yellow in the 57th. Late on, Hayden Hackney’s booking in the 80th for Middlesbrough underlined the frustration, and Blackburn’s double change at 76 minutes with Taylor Gardner-Hickman for Sondre Tronstad and Harry Pickering for Ryan Hedges aimed to push forward, but the deadlock held firm through added time substitutions.

Middlesbrough lined up in a 4-2-2-2 shape, focusing on a solid defensive base that allowed midfielders like Hayden Hackney to dictate play, though his late yellow card highlighted the physical battle. Partnerships in the backline shifted with early substitutions, such as George Edmundson briefly replacing Alfie Jones before Dael Fry took over, while attacking options included Alex Gilbert until Alan Browne came on. The setup emphasised balance, with players like Sverre Nypan adding energy after replacing Micah Hamilton at the break.

Blackburn Rovers deployed a 3-4-1-2 formation, relying on wing-backs for width and a creative link like Todd Cantwell, who lasted until Yuri Ribeiro replaced him deep in stoppage time. The midfield saw adjustments with Taylor Gardner-Hickman coming on for Sondre Tronstad and Harry Pickering for Ryan Hedges in the 76th minute, aiming to bolster both defence and attack. Up front, the shape supported Axel Henriksson until N. Dlamini took his place late on, with bookings for Ryoya Morishita and his replacement Moussa Baradji showing the intensity in those areas.

Sol Brynn earned Ladbrokes’ Man of the Match award for his assured performance in goal, making three crucial saves to ensure Middlesbrough kept a clean sheet with zero goals conceded. His display included no clearances or punches needed, underlining a composed outing where he handled pressure without fuss. This effort stood out in a tight game, helping secure the point for his side.

Recent Championship matches:

• Draw: 0-0 vs Blackburn Rovers (H)
• Loss: 0-2 vs Bristol City (A)
• Win: 3-1 vs Queens Park Rangers (H)
• Win: 2-1 vs Charlton Athletic (A)
• Win: 4-1 vs Hull City (A)

Recent Championship matches:

• Draw: 0-0 vs Middlesbrough (A)
• Win: 2-0 vs Millwall (H)
• Loss: 1-2 vs Portsmouth (A)
• Draw: 1-1 vs Oxford United (H)
• Draw: 1-1 vs Ipswich Town (H)

Middlesbrough have just drawn 0-0 at home to Blackburn Rovers, maintaining their strong position in second place on 43 points after a run that includes wins over QPR, Charlton and Hull but a recent defeat to Bristol City. They next face Hull City away on 29 December 2025 at 19:45, with the opponents sitting fourth on 38 points, making this a key clash for Boro to consolidate their promotion push and potentially widen the gap in the top spots.

Blackburn Rovers have just drawn 0-0 away to Middlesbrough, leaving them in 19th on 26 points following a form guide of a win over Millwall but a loss to Portsmouth and draws with Oxford and Ipswich. Their next fixture is at home to Sheffield Wednesday on 29 December 2025 at 19:45, with the visitors bottom in 24th on -8 points, offering Blackburn a chance to pick up vital points and climb away from the relegation scrap.

Ladbrokes brings you the most exciting betting promotions and the latest betting offers to enhance your experience.

For the best Championship outright predictions, explore our Outright Betting guide.

Odds and market details are accurate as of the time of publication.