Fifty-three years have passed since these clubs last met in the Cup, a fourth-round tie won 1-0 at home by Stoke City, also the score the only other time they have faced each other in the competition, in 1906. Blackburn Rovers are the hosts on Saturday and the team currently placed ninth in the Championship should be wary of Stoke, who, despite losing 4-1 to Manchester City in midweek, were the better side before the break and are enjoying their best period of form for a while. Jamie Jackson
Kick-off Saturday 3pm
Odds H 2-1 A 6-4 D 12-5
Referee Anthony Taylor
Previous meetings Blackburn wins 40 Stoke wins 35 Draws 15
Blackburn Rovers
Subs from Eastwood, Robinson, Spurr, King, Baptiste, Marshall, Duffy, Evans, Varney, Williamson, Songo’o, Gestede
Doubtful None
Injured Lowe (foot, 14 Mar), Dunn (knee, unknown)
Suspended None
Cup-tied Spearing
Form DWLWLW
Discipline Y56 R2
Leading scorer Gestede 13
Stoke City
Subs from Begovic, Sorensen, Adam, Wilkinson, Palacios, Arnautovic, Shenton, Sidwell, Teixeira
Doubtful Walters (knee)
Injured Pieters (hernia, 21 Feb), Ireland (hamstring, 28 Feb), Shawcross (back, 28 Feb), Krkic (knee, Aug), Odemwingie (knee, Aug), Wilson (groin, unknown)
Suspended None
Form LWWWDL
Discipline Y63 R1
Leading scorer Walters 10
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