Ipswich Town will hope Sammie Szmodics ‘love’ for Blackburn Rovers is not their downfall

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Sammie Szmodics is preparing for his first visit to Ewood Park since leaving Blackburn Rovers for Ipswich Town.

The Tractor Boys have been predicted to beat Rovers by EFL Analysis, and Kieran McKenna will be hoping that the ‘disruption’ with the training ground developments do not impact his team too much.

It’s been a difficult season so far for the Suffolk outfit, and until last weekend, they had not quite proven their former Premier League credentials.

However, an incredible 5-0 win over Sheffield United at Portman Road was proof of Ipswich being back to their very best. Yet, the story involving Szmodics and Blackburn could prove an issue for the visitors to Lancashire.

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Sammie Szmodics still has plenty of love for Blackburn Rovers

It was last summer when the former Coventry City man chose to switch the Championship for the Premier League, with Szmodics refusing to play for Rovers during his final weeks.

It was an issue that John Eustace contended with, and while it may not have been the best look for the forward at the time, in June he spoke of how much respect he still has for the club who Ipswich face on Saturday.

He said : “I still love the club. I still watch the results. I still know all the boys. It was a tough moment because I didn’t want to disrupt. It was the manager’s first pre-season with Blackburn. I didn’t want to disrupt him.

“It’s credit to Blackburn because they didn’t have to sell me and they didn’t have to buy me. I’m so grateful for those two football clubs. Also, you’ve got to be grateful for yourself because scoring goals got you there of course, but I’m so lucky.

“I had to pinch myself where I was leaving Blackburn Rovers for a massive club going to a massive club. I thought, ‘How lucky am I? This is amazing?”

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Sammie Szmodics has not hit the ground running for Ipswich Town in 2025/26

Szmodics was incredible during his last Championship campaign. But he has struggled to hit those heights so far in 2025/26.

He has started just three of the five league games that Ipswich have played, failing to score or assist in any of those appearances.

However, Blackburn know just how much of a threat the versatile attacker can be, and they will be well aware of the issues that he can cause on Saturday.

An interesting atmosphere will greet the 29-year-old at Ewood Park, and supporters may have mixed feelings about the way he left. Nonetheless, his full focus will be on Ipswich and helping them to all three points.