Blackburn v Stoke preview

Pulis: Could move into top-six

Skysports.com prediction: Blackburn 0 Stoke 0

Sky Bet odds: Blackburn 10/11 Draw12/5 Stoke 16/5

One to watch: Abdoulaye Faye

Related links

Teams

• Blackburn Rovers
• Stoke City

Also see

• Sky Sports experts
• Transfer Centre
• Fantasy Football
• Sky Sports Twitter

Stoke City could move into the top six with victory at Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.

The Potters' excellent maiden campaign in the Premier League last season has been built on with a more than solid start this term.

Stoke have won just one game on their travels this season and they will be hopeful of adding to that at Ewood Park.

Blackburn come into the game looking to shrug off their midweek defeat at Fulham, and their home record this season is very good.

They have lost just once on the opening day to Manchester City - but have since reeled off four wins and a draw from their next five matches.

Recent history is also very much on Blackburn's side as they have won five of their last six league matches against Stoke.

But Rovers will be going into the game under the charge of assistant manager Neil McDonald as boss Sam Allardyce is sidelined following a heart operation.

Team news

And McDonald could make a couple of changes for the game.

Gael Givet looks set to win his battle against a thigh problem, which would mean Lars Jacobsen dropping down to the bench.

Brett Emerton is also fit to return after overcoming a knee problem and is also pushing for a recall.

Stoke are also likely to make changes, despite winning last time out against Portsmouth.

Captain Abdoulaye Faye was suspended last weekend, but he looks set to be recalled to defence with Andy Wilkinson most likely to make way with Robert Huth reverting to right-back.

Glenn Whelan, who was forced onto the bench last week because of a groin injury, is also looking for a return to the first team.

Possible starting XIs

Blackburn Robinson, Chimbonda, Nelsen, Samba, Givet, Dunn, Grella, Diouf, Andrews, Roberts, Di Santo

Stoke Sorensen, Huth, Collins, Abdoulaye Faye, Shawcross, Delap, Etherington, Whitehead, Whelan, Fuller, Beattie