When you have beaten the European champions and set yourself fair to qualify for the Champions League last 16 in your debut campaign, it feels a little harsh to be criticised for a run of patchy Premier League form. Yet Tottenham's recent return of two points from an available 12 has led to one or two grumbles, much to Harry Redknapp's annoyance, and he knows that they will intensify should his team fail to beat Blackburn, who are on a high after their wins over Wigan and Newcastle. Football is a harsh old game. David Hytner

Venue White Hart Lane, Saturday 3pm

Tickets Sold out

Last season Tottenham 3 Blackburn 1

Referee A Marriner

This season's matches 9 Y35, R1, 4.00 cards per game

Odds Tottenham 8-13 Blackburn 11-2 Draw 3-1

TottenhamSubs from Cudicini, Pletikosa, Corluka, Bassong, Palacios, Bentley, Sandro, Jenas, Pavlyuchenko

Doubtful Bentley (calf), Huddlestone (ankle), Pavlyuchenko (back)

Injured Defoe (ankle, 20 Nov), Keane (ankle, 20 Nov), Lennon (hamstring, 20 Nov), Giovani (groin, 28 Nov), Dawson (knee, Dec), O'Hara (back, Dec), King, Woodgate (both groin, unknown)

Suspended None

Form guide DLLDWW

Disciplinary record Y18 R0

Leading scorer Van der Vaart 5

BlackburnSubs from Brown, Bunn, Kalinic, Dunn, EH Diouf, MB Diouf, Linganzi, Goulon, Hanley, Doran

Doubtful None

Injured Andrews (groin, 21 Nov), Grella (groin, 21 Nov), Nzonzi (hamstring, 21 Nov), Olsson (hamstring, 21 Nov), Benjani (hamstring, 28 Nov)

Suspended None

Form guide WWLLDL

Disciplinary record Y22 R1

Leading scorers Kalinic, Pedersen, Roberts 2

Match pointers? Tottenham have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 11 Premier League matches

? Blackburn have played 23 matches since they last won by more than a single goal

? Rafael van der Vaart has scored in all six of his appearances at White Hart Lane in all competitions

? Blackburn have committed the most fouls this season (176) while Tottenham have made the fewest (130)

? In 40 games at White Lane with Harry Redknapp as manager, Tottenham have conceded more than one goal on only one occasion