Premier League Preview: Blackburn Rovers - Stoke City

Blackburn Rovers' players will take to the field on Saturday afternoon knowing that manager Sam Allardyce had heart surgery on Friday. Such knowledge should act as a motivational spur, and Rovers will surely be desperate to beat Stoke City so they can dedicate the win to their recovering gaffer.

The statistics favour Rovers, too. They have won five of their last six league matches against Stoke, and won last season's corresponding fixture 3-0. Coincidentally, that victory was Allardyce's first game in charge at Ewood Park. They are also in a rich vein of form at home this season, with four wins on the trot.

Under manager Tony Pulis, however, Stoke have become a very difficult team to beat. Physically, the Potters are one of the league's most imposing teams. They are also very well-organised, with set-pieces a specialty, including Rory Delap's infamous long throw-ins.

Stoke's smash-and-grab win at White Hart Lane last month proved that they have the formula to win away against the odds, but with Blackburn fired up to win for Allardyce, and David Dunn pulling the strings in the heart of Rovers' midfield, the visitors will surely have their work cut out.

FORM GUIDE

Blackburn

Nov 25: Fulham 3-0 Blackburn (Premier League)
Nov 22: Bolton 0-2 Blackburn (Premier League)
Nov 7: Blackburn 3-1 Portsmouth (Premier League)
Oct 31: Man Utd 2-0 Blackburn (Premier League)
Oct 27: Blackburn 5-2 Peterborough (League Cup)

Stoke

Nov 22: Stoke 1-0 Portsmouth (Premier League)
Nov 8: Hull City 2-1 Stoke (Premier League)
Oct 31: Stoke 2-2 Wolves (Premier League)
Oct 27: Portsmouth 4-0 Stoke (League Cup)
Oct 24: Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Stoke (Premier League)

TEAM NEWS

Blackburn

The most notable absentee is Rovers' manager Sam Allardyce, who underwent heart surgery on Friday. Assistant coach Neil NcDonald takes charge in Big Sam's stead.

As for Blackburn's players, Gael Givet (thigh) and Brett Emerton (knee) return to the first-team squad, having missed out on Wednesday's loss at Fulham.

Last starting XI in Premier League (v Fulham): Robinson, Jacobsen, Samba, Nelsen, Chimbonda, Dunn, Grella, Andrews, Roberts, Diouf, Di Santo. 

Stoke

Irish midfielder Glenn Whelan has recovered from a groin strain and is available for selection.

Centre-back Abdoulaye Faye returns from suspension, but with replacement Andy Wilkinson playing so well in the narrow win over Portsmouth last weekend, the Senegalese man-mountain may have to be content with a place on the bench.

Last starting XI in Premier League (v Portsmouth): Sorensen, Huth, Shawcross, Collins, Wilkinson, Diao, Whitehead, Delap, Etherington, Beattie, Fuller.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Blackburn - David Dunn

The English midfielder has been in the best form of his life in the last couple of months, scoring four league goals and creating chances galore. After a disappointing performance at Fulham on Wednesday, Dunn will be keen to bounce back by leading his team to victory in front of Rovers' home support.

Stoke - Ricardo Fuller

The Jamaican striker has struggled to match his impressive performances in the 2008-09 season (he was Stoke's top scorer, with 11 goals), but after getting off the mark in the Premier League against Portsmouth last weekend, his confidence should be high – and an in-form Fuller is a handful for any defence.
 
PREDICTION

Blackburn 2-1 Stoke

Ollie Irish, Goal.com UK