Surviving for three years is the key to Premier League longevity, according to Stoke manager Tony Pulis, and his hard-working, no-frills Potters are already looking a safe bet to make it safely to the end of year two. That some supporters would like to see the team play with a touch more style, and ideally feature Tuncay Sanli from the start, is unlikely to affect the Welshman’s thinking as he seeks to bring to an end Blackburn’s run of five successive home victories. Captain Abdoulaye Faye returns after suspension and should go straight back into the side. Richard Rae

Venue Ewood Park

Tickets £17-29 (0871 222 1444)

Last season Blackburn 3 Stoke 0

Referee H Webb

This season’s matches 7 Y20, R0, 2.86 cards per game

sportingbet odds Blackburn 9-10 Stoke 13-5 Draw 12-5

Blackburn

Subs from Brown, Salgado, Grella, Emerton, McCarthy, Chimbonda, Nzonzi, Hoilett, Van Heerden, Olsson, Doran, Giannakopoulos, Kalinic

Doubtful Emerton (knee), Givet (thigh), Olsson (virus)

Injured None

Suspended None

Form guide LWWLLW

Disciplinary record Y20 R1

Leading scorer Dunn 5

Stoke

Subs from Simonsen, Wilkinson, Griffin, Higginbotham, Cort, Sidibe, Pugh, Diao, Whitehead, Tuncay, Arismendi

Doubtful None

Injured Amdy Faye (back, unknown)

Suspended None

Form guide WLDWWD

Disciplinary record Y26 R1

Leading scorers Beattie, Etherington 2

Match pointers

• Stoke have not won at Blackburn since March 1986 when a solitary goal from Carl Saunders proved sufficient to secure a 1-0 victory

• Blackburn have been caught offside on more occasions (49) than any other side in the Premier League

• Stoke have both scored and conceded 11 goals in their last 11 league games

• If selected, Brett Emerton will be making his 200th Premier League appearance

• 23% of Stoke’s passes this season have been long balls, the largest proportion in the top flight

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