Local pride is up for grabs on Sunday as Bolton Wanderers host Blackburn at the Reebok Stadium in a potentially fiery Lancashire derby.

Both sides will be desperate to pick up all three points this afternoon after a below-par start to the new campaign see's both teams struggling near the foot of the table.

Bolton currently lie in sixteenth place in the league, on 11 points, one ahead of the drop zone, whilst Sunday’s visitors Blackburn lie just two places above the Trotters on 13 points.

Following the news that coach Sam Allardyce is facing heart surgery this week, Rovers will be hoping to bring some cheer to 'Big Sam' with a derby-day win. They will undoubtedly be desperate to end a barren away streak which has seen them defeated in their last ten on the road.

Bolton boss Gary Megson will be hoping to capitalise on Rovers’ poor run away from Ewood Park with a victory, that will help banish the memories of their 5-1 thrashing by Aston Villa last time out.

It all points to an intriguing and potentially action packed Lancashire derby.

Team News:

Bolton could be without Israeli defender Tamir Cohen who is still nursing an ankle injury.

Striker Johan Elmander could be handed a starting berth alongside target-man Kevin Davies.

Blackburn meanwhile will have to wait on the fitness of defender Vince Grella, who, despite recovering from a hamstring injury, may still not yet be ready for the rigours of first team action.

Out of favour striker Benni McCarthy could be given a rare start as the visitors target the win they need to move into the top-half of the table.

Probable Starting XIs; Star Man:

Bolton (4-1-3-2): Jaaskelainen, Ricketts, Knight, Cahill, Robinson, Muamba, Davies, Taylor, Gardner, Davies, Elmander.

Blackburn (4-4-2): Robinson, Chimbonda, Nelsen, Samba, Givet, Emerton, Dunn, Andrews, Diouf, McCarthy, Roberts.

ExtraFootie's Prediction: Bolton 2-1 Blackburn. Although Blackburn have gone five games unbeaten against their A666 rivals, we fancy the Trotters to edge it this time.