Horse Racing expert Will Smith provides a 2-star ** 16/1 EW ante-post selection for Newmarket's famous Cesarewitch Handicap on Saturday 11th October.
Date published: October 2, 2025
Date of Tips: 02/10/2025
Disclaimer The odds for these selections were correct at the time of publishing (10:05 02/10/2025) but may have changed since. Please check the latest price before placing your bet.
Blackburn Rovers FC
v Stoke City FC 
Ewood Park
Championship Matchday 9 
04-10-2025 11:30
Blackburn Form
Stoke Form
Date: 04/10/25
Kick-off time: 12:30
Venue: Ewood Park
Championship football keeps delivering, and this Saturday it’s Blackburn Rovers welcoming Stoke City to Ewood Park. Both sides are in very different moods right now. Blackburn are stuck down near the bottom after a tough run of results, while Stoke are hanging around the top end despite struggling to score goals. So, who’s going to make a statement this weekend? Let’s break it down.
Blackburn Rovers head into this one with a clean bill of health, which is one bit of good news for Valérien Ismaël. Todd Cantwell has been their brightest spark, scoring in last week’s defeat to Swansea, and he’ll be the one fans are looking at to drag them up the table. Expect Guðjohnsen up front again, with Ryan Hedges and Ryoya Morishita providing support. Defensively, though, they need to tighten up – nine goals conceded in six games tells the story.
Stoke City also have a full squad available for Mark Robins, which means no excuses in terms of selection. Robert Boženík leads the line, with Sorba Thomas and Lamine Cissé buzzing around him. The Potters play neat, structured football, but their problem is obvious: only two goals in their last six matches. Still, they don’t give much away either, and that balance makes them tricky opponents.
Blackburn Rovers (4-2-3-1):
Balázs Tóth; Alebiosu, Miller, McLoughlin, Ribeiro; Tronstad, Gardner-Hickman; Morishita, Cantwell, Hedges; Guðjohnsen
Stoke City (4-2-3-1):
Johansson; Phillips, Wilmot, Lawal, Bocat; Pearson, Seko; Cissé, Bae, Thomas; Boženík
Blackburn’s home matches have seen plenty of action this season, with the “Over 2 Goals” bet landing in 67% of them. Add in the fact that both sides look shaky at the back, and you’d expect chances at both ends.
Betting angles worth a look:
Blackburn are desperate, and sometimes that edge makes a difference. They’ll throw numbers forward at home, and with Cantwell pulling strings, they should find the net. Stoke’s defensive record means they won’t crumble, but with their goal drought still hanging over them, it’s hard to back them to take all three points.
Match Prediction: Blackburn to win. Bet with bet365.
Blackburn 2-1 Stoke City feels about right. Enough cutting edge from Rovers to edge it, but not without Stoke having their moments.
Correct Score Prediction: Blackburn 2-1 Stoke City. Bet with bet365.
The numbers point toward goals here. Across the last six head-to-heads, these two average nearly three per game. Blackburn’s home matches have been lively too. Over 2.5 looks safe, while over 3.5 could be a value play if you’re hunting a bigger price.
Over/Under Prediction: Over 2.5 Goals. Bet with bet365.
Here’s a combo I like for Blackburn vs Stoke:
That’s a builder that fits how I see this one playing out – lively, open, and probably settled by a moment of quality.
Bet Builder Tip: Blackburn Win, BTTS Yes, Cantwell Anytime, Over 2.5 Goals. Bet with bet365.
Key Stats
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Visit our football previews & predictions page for more betting tips on upcoming matches.
Blackburn look more likely to grab a narrow win, especially with home advantage, though Stoke’s defence could keep it close.
The most likely outcome looks like 2-1 to Blackburn, with goals at both ends.
The game takes place at Ewood Park, Blackburn’s home ground.
Todd Cantwell for Blackburn, with his creativity, and Robert Boženík for Stoke, if he can rediscover his scoring touch.
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Horse Racing expert Will Smith provides a 2-star ** 16/1 EW ante-post selection for Newmarket's famous Cesarewitch Handicap on Saturday 11th October.
Horse Racing expert Will Smith provides a 2-star ** 16/1 EW ante-post selection for Newmarket's famous Cesarewitch Handicap on Saturday 11th October.
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