A lunchtime kick-off gives Tottenham a chance to put some early distance between themselves and those seeking to dislodge them from fourth place. Certainly Spurs cannot afford another of those slip-ups at home which have hampered their pursuit of Champions League football next season. Having won at Ewood Park in December, when Peter Crouch scored twice, and given Blackburn’s poor away record, Harry Redknapp’s side should get three points today although his attack will need to improve on last weekend’s barren FA Cup performance at Fulham. A point would satisfy Sam Allardyce. David Lacey

Venue White Hart Lane, Saturday 12.45pm

Tickets £33-53 (0844 844 0102)

Last season Tottenham 1 Blackburn 0

Referee H Webb

This season’s matches 20 Y77, R3, 4.00 cards per game

Odds Tottenham 5-11 Blackburn 15-2 Draw 10-3

Tottenham

Subs from Alnwick, J Walker, Gudjohnsen, Kaboul, Pavlyuchenko, K Walker, Rose, Livermore, Dervite, Parrett, Fredericks, Townsend, Kane

Doubtful None

Injured Huddlestone (ankle, 20 Mar), King (thigh, 20 Mar), Bentley (groin, 27 Mar), Jenas (groin, 27 Mar), Lennon (groin, Apr), Woodgate (groin, Aug), Cudicini (pelvis/wrists, unknown)

Suspended None

Form guide WWLDDW

Disciplinary record Y48 R1

Leading scorer Defoe 16

Blackburn

Subs from Brown, Roberts, Linganzi, Basturk, Hoilett, Di Santo, Salgado, Jones, Rigters, Gunning, Judge

Doubtful None

Injured Grella (thigh, 21 Mar), Jacobsen (groin, Apr), Nelsen (knee, Apr)

Suspended None

Form guide LWWLDW

Disciplinary record Y46 R2

Leading scorer Dunn 5

Match pointers

• There have been six red cards in the last nine league meetings between these sides

• After scoring two goals in his first 11 appearances, Roman Pavlyuchenko has now scored six goals in his last five games in all competitions

• Only Blackburn (91) have been caught offside more times than Tottenham (84) this season

• Tottenham have won every one of their last 24 matches in which they have been ahead at half-time (10 times) but none of those when they have not

• Blackburn have been involved in more 0-0 draws (five) than any other side in 2009-10

Premier LeagueTottenham HotspurBlackburn Roversguardian.co.uk

• Georgian could make his debut at Sheffield United tomorrow
• He has already played for Newcastle United this season

Reading have signed the Blackburn Rovers defender Zurab Khizanishvili on loan until the end of the season. The Georgia international has had limited first-team opportunities at Ewood Park this season and joins the Championship side after a similar spell with Newcastle United.

Reading’s director of football, Nick Hammond, said: “We are very pleased to add Zurab to our squad and this is another signing that will add very good experience. He can play at centre-half, full-back or as a holding midfielder so he also brings excellent versatility and I am sure he will prove to be a good addition.”

Khizanishvili could make his debut for Brian McDermott’s side at Sheffield United tomorrow evening.

Transfer windowReadingBlackburn Roversguardian.co.uk