The all-Premiership clash between two of the in-form sides is likely to be a tight affair with both teams pushing high in the league and suffering only three league defeats in 21 games between them.
Harry Redknapp is expected to name a strong side with his only new injury worries being Sulley Muntari (hamstring) and Hermann Hreidarsson (foot). Strikers David Nugent and Kanu are both again but Benjani is set to retain his starting place.
Blackburn are rocked by the news that Robbie Savage has been ruled out until December following knee surgery. And Steven Reid and Jason Roberts are also both ruled out as well.
Mark Hughes is likely to make some changes for his team’s trip to the south coast as he looks to progress better in the Carling Cup than he did against little-known Larissa in the UEFA Cup.