Blackburn/Sunderland

Subs, as always, could be a major factor in the Big Game tonight. Sam Allardyce likes to tinker as the last three games show:

(A) v. Stoke
Emerton (Mwaruwari 75)
Pedersen (Hoilett 86)
E. Diouf(Olsson 54)

(A) v. Blackpool
M. Diouf (Emerton 46)
Nzonzi (Andrews 66)
Kalinic (Mwaruwari 76)

(A) v. Aston Villa
Nelsen (Samba 66)
Mwaruwari (Diouf 62)
Hoilett (Kalinic 78)

Not much of a pattern in terms of players subbed so the danger is ending up with a player (or more) going off with more than a quarter of the game to go (as has happened for 5 of the last 9 subs)

Steve Bruce hasn't subbed anyone earlier than the 81st minute for the last two games (Home to Man Utd., Away to Liverpool) but did this at home to West Ham:

Ferdinand (Da Silva 40)
Henderson (Zenden 71)
Gyan (Malbranque 61)


There's only limited previous Picklive form to go on but Blackburn's top 4 (El-Hadji Diouf, Nelsen, Jones and Salgado), from the last game all started the last match against Stoke. Nelsen is an injury doubt though. Only Richardson of Sunderland's top 4 (Henderson, Richardson, Onuoha & Mignolet) didn't start their last league game.

Much will depend on the starting line-ups as Dunn, Bent and Nelsen are all doubtful.
Tip: go for Henderson & Salgado then wait to see if Dunn starts (worth a gamble even if he is a sub risk). Onuoha and Emerton are worth considering as is Richardson if he starts. Bent has 5 goals in 7 league games if you fancy a high risk strategy. Even more risky could be Cattermole though...

Good luck!