Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off sees troubled Blackburn Rovers travel to the Britannia Stadium to face a Stoke City side who are notoriously difficult to beat at home.
Tony Pulis’ men have been impressive in the Europa League, but have struggled to cope with the demands of playing twice in a week and their league form has showed. Their home form, which is usually so prolific, deserted them last week as Queens Park Rangers won 3-2 at the Britannia Stadium. Pulis has fitness concerns over Peter Crouch, Rory Delap and Matthew Etherington as he looks to prepare for Blackburn.
Rovers boss Steve Kean has been under scrutiny all season, but benefited from a controversial Junior Hoilett goal and a brace from Yakubu to get a draw away at Wigan. Blackburn defenders Christopher Samba and Martin Olsson are still suffering from hamstring injuries, but defender Jason Lowe returns from suspension. Kean is desperate for points as he looks to lead Rovers out of the relegation places.
Stoke are generally solid at home and last weekend’s defeat will have been quickly erased. A boisterous lunchtime crowd will greet Blackburn and Stoke should be buoyed on by their support to win with ease.
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