Sunday's Barclays Premier League programme kicks off with an intriguing north-west derby which sees former Bolton Wanderers manager Sam Allardyce return to his old club with Blackburn Rovers.
Wigan Athletic travel to Tottenham Hotspur and bottom club Portsmouth face a tough trip to Stoke City.
Bolton v Blackburn
These two Lancashire rivals both need the points to keep themselves clear of the relegation battle.The Trotters have not kept a clean sheet all season and have lost their last three matches, scoring just once and conceding 13.
Rovers have not lost at the Reebok Stadium in eight visits since 2001 but have been beaten in their last 10 away matches.
Spurs v Wigan
Tottenham Hotspur have won four and lost two of their six home matches this season and host a Wigan side who have a mirror image record on the road, losing four and winning two out of six.
Similarly Spurs have gone 12 matches without a draw at home and the Latics have not finished all-square in any of their last 12 on the road.
Wigan's only victory against the north London side came at the JJB Stadium last season and they have won only three of 22 Premier League visits to London.
Stoke v Portsmouth
Stoke City are strong at home, losing just twice in front of their own fans - and that was against Chelsea and Manchester United. However they have gone three matches without a win.Portsmouth though are unbeaten in their last five meetings with Stoke in all competitions, winning three at Fratton Park and drawing twice at the Britannia Stadium.
Only one club has lost nine of their opening 12 Premier League matches and subsequently stayed up; that was Portsmouth's south coast neighbours Southampton in the 2001/02 season. Former Saints striker James Beattie will be keen to score against Pompey.
Barclays Premier League fixtures
Click on a fixture below to view the match previewBolton Wanderers v Blackburn Rovers (Referee: Mike Dean)
Tottenham Hotspur v Wigan Athletic (Peter Walton)
Stoke City v Portsmouth (Kevin Friend)
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