Match Preview – Blackburn Rovers v Manchester United

Competition: Premier League
Kick-Off & Date: 12:45pm, Saturday, 14th May 2011
Venue: Ewood Park, Blackburn (Away)
Live TV Coverage: Sky Sports 2 (HD), 12pm – 3pm

Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire, England)
Assistant Referees: Andy Halliday & Scott Ledger
Fourth Official: Kevin Friend
 
 
Form: Blackburn currently lie in 15th position, seemingly safe from the drop zone, but all that separates them from the bottom is three points. The Rovers have struggled following the controversial sacking of manager Sam Allardyce, with assistant boss Steve Kean currently in-charge for the foreseeable future. United hammered Blackburn 7-1 earlier this season, one of the reasons Allardyce was shown the door at Ewood Park.

United need just one point on Saturday to secure a record-breaking feat of 19 Premier League titles, but Sir Alex Ferguson’s side will be going for all three points. The Red Devils went 1st in the League when they hit The Riversiders for seven and never looked back since. United will not lift the trophy even if they cement their title as Champions, but celebrations will take place on the pitch at the full-time whistle nonetheless.


The Injury Front: Blackburn will be without striker Mame Biram Diouf, who is ineligible to face his parent club while on-loan at Ewood Park. Defender Phil Jones has recovered from a back injury, while Michel Salgado and David Dunn have both recovered from respective leg problems to be included in the Blackburn squad. Ryan Nelsen and Vince Grella are definite absentees, while Ruben Rochina is a doubt after dislocating his shoulder.
 
Squad: Robinson, Samba, Givet, Olsson, Salgado, J Jones, Emerton, P Jones, Nzonzi, Dunn, Diouf, Hoilett, Bunn, Roberts, Pedersen, Hanley, Kalinic, Rochina, Formica, Benjani, Santa Cruz.


United are set to rest Edwin Van Der Sar, allowing Tomasz Kuszczak and Anders Lindegaard to dispute the goalie spot. Patrice Evra and John O’Shea are both doubts following knocks sustained in last weekend’s win over Chelsea, while Darren Fletcher is expected to start for The Reds in midfield. Owen Hargreaves remains sidelined for this game, but Michael Owen has returned to full fitness and could be involved.

Squad: Kuszczak, Lindegaard, Rafael, O’Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Smalling, Evans, Brown, Evra, Valencia, Scholes, Anderson, Carrick, Fletcher, Gibson, Park, Giggs, Nani, Obertan, Rooney, Berbatov, Owen, Hernandez.

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The Gaffer: Steve Kean replaced Sam Allardyce in December, before being awarded a 2½ year contract in January, keeping him at Ewood Park until the summer of 2013. Kean was assistant manager when Allardyce was in-charge, and the former Scottish winger is in his first job as head coach..

Most-Feared: Nikola Kalinic is Blackburn’s top goalscorer this season, ahead of on-loan Manchester  United forward Mame Diouf. The 23-year-old Croatian striker has 6 goals to his name in 18 games this term, and could pose the biggest threat to The Red Devils…

The Ref: Phil Dowd is regarded as one of the most hated referees in the OT terraces, as he takes charge of Saturday’s game at Ewood Park. This season he has overseen The Reds win against Wolves and Sunderland, the draw with Bolton Wanderers and defeat to Liverpool, where he failed to send-off Jamie Carragher…

United Latest‘s Prediction: Blackburn 0-2 United
– Dimitar Berbatov & Wayne Rooney ?

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