Spurs have turned a nailed-on third place into a tricky three-way battle for fourth, with Newcastle and Chelsea. If Chelsea win at lunchtime, Spurs will kick off in sixth place.

Spurs’ decline has overlapped with some rotten injury luck. Michael Dawson brings out the best in Ledley King, and his absence and the recent injury to Younes Kaboul has really affected the man with the dodgy knees.

In midfield, Aaron Lennon’s mid-season absence destroyed Tottenham’s natural balance, and even forced Gareth Bale to play down the middle for a period. Scott Parker also hasn’t been himself of late.

Rovers fans would love the FA to approach their manager – younger ones think he really is called Steve Kean Out. Many, however, believe the Scot has done well given that the Blackburn board see every transfer window as an opportunity to sell their best players.

A draw doesn’t suit either side, but a defeat would be fatal for both, so it may just turn out to be a cagey 1-1.

Key Stats

1. Spurs haven’t had a home 0-0 draw all season, whilst Blackburn haven’t had one at all.

2. Spurs have scored in each home league match. Rovers have only failed to score in three away.

3. Blackburn haven’t even managed to get to the break at 0-0 in an away league fixture this season.

4. Blackburn last beat Spurs in April 2009, with Tottenham winning all five subsequent encounters.

Tags: Blackburn, Match Preview, Tottenham