If Manchester United seem well-placed to retain the title it has much to do with the solidity shown on hostile territory in the Premier League. A failure at Newcastle United is their sole loss in 15 away games so far. In that regard, Sir Alex Ferguson's team have been much superior to Roberto Mancini's Manchester City. Each fixture, however, has its own context and Blackburn Rovers will be spurred on by the knowledge that, despite an upturn in form since Christmas, just three points separate them from the relegation places. Kevin McCarra
Venue Ewood Park, Monday 8pm
Tickets £27-40 (0871 222 1444 )
Last season Blackburn 1 Man Utd 1
Referee Howard Webb
This season's matches 24 Y72, R3, 3.12 cards per game
Odds Blackburn 8-1 Man Utd 2-5 Draw 19-5
Blackburn
Subs from Bunn, Orr, Givet, Modeste, Rochina, Goodwillie, Petrovic, Vukcevic, Dunn, Henley, Anderson, Blackman
Doubtful Givet (hamstring)
Injured Grella (calf, unknown)
Suspended None
Form guide LWWDLW
Disciplinary record Y57 R4
Leading scorer Yakubu 14
Manchester United
Subs from Amos, Jones, Berbatov, Giggs, Park, Hernández, Pogba, F da Silva, R da Silva, Cleverley, Fryers, Keane
Doubtful None
Injured Nani (ankle, 8 Apr), Owen (thigh, 8 Apr), Lindegaard (foot, 15 Apr), Anderson (hamstring, 22 Apr), Vidic (knee, Aug), Fletcher (bowel, unknown)
Suspended None
Form guide WWWWWW
Disciplinary record Y36 R1
Leading scorer Rooney 21
Match pointers
• Blackburn scored three goals from only three shots on target when they beat United 3-2 at Old Trafford on New Year's Eve
• United have lost just one of their past eight visits to Ewood Park in all competitions
• Blackburn have scored more league goals (43) than any other team outside the top six but only Wolves (65) have conceded more times than Rovers (62)
• Dimitar Berbatov has scored more Premier League goals against Blackburn (nine) than against any other side, including eight in his last five games against them
• Paul Robinson has saved 55% of the shots on target he has faced this season – the worst ratio in the division
