With Blackburn needing survival points and Manchester City looking to cement their top 4 place, we should see a very intense affair at Ewood Park.

The only reason why Rovers are still one point above the relegation zone is that their relegation rivals have also been very disappointing of late, but Steve Kean’s side need to start picking up points soon or risk losing their Premiership status.

Blackburn are winless in last nine league games, and having taken just four points during this period, Rovers are by no means a good bet to get something from this match. Rovers are 2.75 (7/4) to go down at Paddy Power.

The hosts should have Junior Hoillet and Keith Andrews back to the side, but Roque Santa Cruz is ineligible to face his parent club. Vince Grella and Ryan Nelsen are also out.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-1-1): Robinson – Salgado, Givet, Samba, Olsson – Dunn, P. Jones, Emerton, J. Jones – Ruben Rochina – Roberts.

Manchester City are flying high after beating Manchester United to reach the FA Cup final, and the Citizens can now make a giant step towards the top 4 finish.

If the Citizens beat Blackburn they will go four points clear of Tottenham, which would virtually ensure them the top 4 place, especially as they are set to host Spurs at Eastlands.

Nevertheless, City are hardly a force to be reckoned with when playing away from home, having lost four of their last five away games and failed to win any of their last eight. City are 2.10 (11/10) with Bet365 to end the dismal run and claim maximum points at Ewood Park.

Roberto Mancini is still without Carlos Tevez and Micah Richards, while Boateng, Michael Johnson and Shay Given are long-term casualties.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Hart – Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov – Y. Toure, Barry, De Jong – Silva, Balotelli, Johnson.