Premier League Preview: Blackburn Rovers - Tottenham Hotspur

Tricky trip to Ewood for high-flying Spurs…

18-Dec-2009 10:17:00 PM

More On :  Blackburn, Tottenham
EPL: Robbie Keane, Blackburn Rovers v Tottenham Hotspur (PA)


Kick-Off: Saturday, December 19, 15:00 GMT
Ewood Park, Blackburn

Having recorded an impressive 3-0 victory over Manchester City in midweek, Harry Redknapp's Tottenham Hotspur side travel to Ewood Park full of confidence for their final match before Christmas, but there will be no mistletoe-and-wine reception waiting for them from Blackburn Rovers.
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Blackburn's form of late makes for impressive reading in regards to their defensive record, having kept clean sheets in three of last five matches. The problem remains that they simply do not score enough goals, a factor that has been highlighted in David Dunn's absence.

Dunn has chipped in with six Premier League goals so far this season, a fine contribution for any midfielder and something that will have delighted his manager. Unfortunately for Big Sam though, the rest of his squad have only found the net on 11 occasions.

Tottenham, by contrast, have not struggled to find the net, having bagged 38 goals thus far. Nevertheless, a mixture of lapses in concentration and defensive injuries have taken their toll on the White Hart Lane side, as Redknapp's men continue to look suspect in defence.

FORM GUIDE

Blackburn Rovers

15 Dec: Birmingham 2-1 Blackburn [Premier League]

12 Dec: Hull City 0-0 Blackburn [Premier League]
5 Dec: Blackburn 0-0 Liverpool [Premier League]
2 Dec: Blackburn 3-3 Chelsea [4-3 Penalties] [League Cup]
28 Nov: Blackburn 0-0 Stoke City [Premier League]

Tottenham Hotspur

16 Dec: Tottenham 3-0 Man City [Premier League]
12 Dec: Tottenham 0-1 Wolves [Premier League]
6 Dec: Everton 2-2 Tottenham [Premier League]
1 Dec: Man United 2-0 Tottenham [League Cup]
28 Nov: Aston Villa 1-1 Tottenham [Premier League]

TEAM NEWS

Blackburn Rovers

Top goal scorer David Dunn [calf] and defender Vincenzo Grella [thigh] are both doubts for Sam Allardyce’s side, whilst Brett Emerton will definitely miss out with the groin injury he picked-up during the midweek defeat at Birmingham.

Starting XI against Birmingham: Robinson, Samba, Givet, Nelsen, Chimbonda, Emerton, Pedersen, Nzonzi, Roberts, Diof, Kalinic.

Tottenham Hotspur

Harry Redknapp has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the match at Ewood Park, and is likely to select the same team that defeated Manchester City in midweek.

Spurs will definitely be without Carlo Cudcini [wrists and hip], Ledley King [knee] and Jonathan Woodgate [groin], whilst midfielder Luka Modric is likely to find himself on the bench once more – due to the form of international teammate, Niko Kranjcar.

Starting XI against Man City: Gomes, Corluka, Dawson, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Huddlestone, Palacios, Kranjcar, Crouch, Defoe.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Blackburn Rovers – Christopher Samba

Blackburn’s towering centre-back has been in impressive form of late, helping his side keep three clean sheets in their last five matches.

Samba was employed as a makeshift striker during this fixture last season, and the Congolese stalwart will have to be marked closely for corners and free-kicks.

Likely to be assigned the responsibility of marking Peter Crouch, if Samba can suppress the striker's link-up play with Jermain Defoe, Allardyce could receive some early festive cheer on Saturday.  

Tottenham Hotspur – Aaron Lennon

The explosive right winger has been in scintillating form for Spurs thus far this season, and his pace will prove to be a major discomfort for Rovers at the weekend.

After seasons of criticism regarding the effectiveness and accuracy of his final delivery, Lennon has assisted eight of Spurs Premier League goals so far, chipping in with three strikes of his own.

Tottenham will look to counter attack against Blackburn on Saturday, and Lennon is the perfect weapon to implement it.

PREDICTION

Blackburn will make this match incredibly difficult for their visitors, and Spurs will have to battle doggedly to get anything out of this match. Nevertheless, despite their impressive defensive record of late, Blackburn have struggled to score goals, and that is one thing that Spurs can duly supply.

Blackburn Rovers 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur

Richard Parry

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