Blackburn and Bolton are linked by the A666 and Sam Allardyce. Their last meeting in November occurred in the absence of the former Wanderers manager, sat at home on doctor’s orders while he awaited minor heart surgery, but was nonetheless about him and won by his side. Allardyce may give a debut to the Turkey international Yildiray Basturk as he aims to extend his unbeaten record against his old club. Owen Coyle, whose status as a former Burnley manager guarantees him a warm reception, hopes defender Zat Knight will be fit. Richard Jolly
Venue Ewood Park
Tickets £15 (0871 222 1444)
Last season Blackburn 2 Bolton 2
Referee C Foy
This season’s matches 20 Y49, R2, 2.55 cards per game
Odds Blackburn 10-11 Bolton 10-3 Draw 12-5
Blackburn
Subs from Brown, Dunn, Grella, Jones, Jacobsen, Chimbonda, Basturk, Hoilett, Roberts, Di Santo, Reid, Linganzi
Doubtful Basturk (match fitness), Dunn (calf)
Injured None
Suspended Samba (last of two)
Form guide WLDWWL
Disciplinary record Y41 R2
Leading scorer Dunn 5
Bolton
Subs from Al Habsi, Bogdan, Elmander, Wilshere, Weiss, Ward, M Davies, Samuel, Shittu, Riga, A O’Brien, Vaz Tê, Holden
Doubtful Klasnic (calf), Knight (calf)
Injured McCann (ankle, Apr), Davis (knee, May), Basham (knee, unknown), Cahill (arm, unknown), J O’Brien (knee, unknown)
Suspended None
Form guide DLDLWL
Disciplinary record Y51 R2
Leading scorer Klasnic 6
Match pointers
• Only one of the 17 Premier League meetings between these sides has ended as a home win
• Kevin Davies’ booking after 1min 50sec of Bolton’s match with Fulham was the quickest in the division this season
• Blackburn have been caught offside on more occasions (83) than any other side
• There have been seven penalties awarded in the last seven meetings between Blackburn and Bolton
• Bolton have dropped 16 points from winning positions this season, the joint most in the top flight
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