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

Blackburn RoversBolton WanderersPremier Leagueguardian.co.uk

• Turkey midfielder joins Blackburn until end of season
• Experienced 31-year-old has 49 international caps

Blackburn Rovers have confirmed they have agreed a deal to sign Turkish international midfielder Yildiray Basturk on loan from Stuttgart until the end of the season.

The 31-year-old, who made his name at Bayer Leverkusen, playing in the 2002 Champions League final, moved to Hertha Berlin in 2004 before joining Stuttgart.

He featured in his country’s 2002 World Cup side, and has 49 international caps.

Transfer windowBlackburn RoversPremier Leagueguardian.co.uk