Premier League Preview: West Ham v Blackburn

Saturday, kick-off 3pm

Celebrity predictions from The New Football Pools' pundits:

John Barnes : Draw. Tony Cascarino : Draw. Graham Poll : Draw.

Team news:

West Ham skipper Lucas Neill was rested for the midweek Carling Cup win over Macclesfield and should return against former club Blackburn. Midfielder Valon Behrami broke his front tooth against the Silkmen but should be fit to play, while George McCartney has made his comeback from a virus. Craig Bellamy has been out with a hamstring injury but was considered a possibility earlier in the week. Kieron Dyer (broken leg), Jonathan Spector (hip), Danny Gabbidon (stomach), James Tompkins (leg) and James Collins (knee) are still out.

Blackburn are set to be without David Dunn after the midfielder missed training with an Achilles injury which forced him to sit out the Carling Cup victory over Grimsby. Stephen Warnock missed the game through illness but will return to the squad. New signing Keith Andrews is short of match fitness and Vince Grella is still awaiting international clearance. Strikers Matt Derbyshire and Carlos Villanueva are pressing their claims after scoring in midweek.

Stats:

Last season: West Ham 2 Blackburn 1, Blackburn 0 West Ham 1

Last five league matches: West Ham D L D W L; Blackburn W W L W D

Top scorers: Dean Ashton (West Ham) 2; Matt Derbyshire (Blackburn) 2

Match odds: H 7-5 A 19-10 D 23-10

Referee: Mike Riley (Yorkshire)

Match facts from Opta:

West Ham have won their last eight Premier League games at home to Blackburn and nine of 11 overall since 1992.

The Hammers have actually won their last four home and away against Rovers - all by a one-goal margin.

West Ham's joint-record Premier League defeat came at the hands of Rovers a 1-7 drubbing in October 2001.

Dean Ashton scored in both games against Blackburn last season.

Ashton has netted five goals in his last five league outings.

The Hammers have gone 14 games without a clean sheet - the worst current run in the top flight.

Freddie Sears scored the winner on his debut in this fixture last season.

Blackburn have only kept one clean sheet in their last eight league games.

Only one team has prevented Blackburn from scoring in Rovers' last 14 Premier League matches.

Roque Santa Cruz netted in this fixture last March and including that game he has scored nine goals in his last 11 league outings.

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