Relegation-battling West Ham host fellow strugglers Blackburn Rovers in their Premier League match at Upton Park with priceless points at stake.

Now it's Pedersen's turn to delivery a long throw into the box, but Green commands his box well to gather.

Da Costa again throws himself into the line of fire as he looks to meet Spector's cross, but Givet clears away.

Jacobsen hurls a long throw into the box with Cole and Ba battling hard to latch on to the delivery, but to no avail.

STAT: West Ham United and Blackburn Rovers have met 95 times in the league. West Ham have won 38, Blackburn 42 and 15 draws.

Da Costa rises imperiously inside the Blackburn half and directs a powerful header towards the far corner of the net, but Pedersen clears off the line superbly!

The atmosphere is absolutely superb as West Ham enjoy a good period of possession in the Blackburn half.

Pedersen should score! The Norwegian is slipped through by Steven N'Zonzi, but he drives his low shot agonisingly wide of the near post with Green flat-footed!

It's a flying start for the Hammers as Carlton Cole combines very well with Demba Ba, only to have his snap shot blocked away superbly by Gael Givet!

The first half is underway at Upton Park, and immediately Paul Robinson flies out to clear a loose ball.

Right, we're just five minutes from kick off now, and the players come out to a huge ovation at Upton Park! Who's your money on? Post your last-minute predictions below...

So Scott Parker misses out again with his Achilles problem - that's a massive blow for the Hammers. Da Costa comes in for Upson, who is also injured, while Robbie Keane drops to the bench.

West Ham manager Avram Grant has told everybody connected with the club to forget what might happen and instead focus on securing survival. Despite the need to focus on football, the past few weeks have been peppered with stories relating to what could happen if the Hammers get relegated. Last week Grant had to brush off comments from co-owner David Sullivan after he questioned the players' commitment and survival hopes.

There is currently a six-point gap between the Hammers and Rovers, with the hosts rock bottom with 32, and Kean's side in 16th spot.

The teams are in at Upton Park! What is your assessment of the two sides picked by Avram Grant and Steve Kean respectively? Post your views below... The referee for this afternoon's clash is Peter Walton.

West Ham: Green, Jacobsen, da Costa, Gabbidon, Bridge, Spector, Hitzlsperger, Boa Morte, Sears, Cole, Ba. Subs: Boffin, Tomkins, Collison, Kovac, Hines, Piquionne, Keane

Blackburn: Robinson, Emerton, Samba, Givet, Olsson, Nzonzi, Jermaine Jones, Diouf, Pedersen, Hoilett, Roberts. Subs: Bunn, Formica, Andrews, Santa Cruz, Rochina, Mwaruwari, Hanley

Will the West Ham co-owner David Sullivan be at the game today? He blamed his side's "poor away performances" for his decision not to attend Sunday's defeat to Manchester City after being roundly criticised for not bothering to go to the match.

West Ham co-owner David Gold has revealed he would let the club's England internationals leave if they are relegated. That would mean losing Footballer of the Year Scott Parker, as well as goalkeeper Robert Green, Matthew Upson and Carlton Cole at the end of the season. The Hammers are bottom of the Premier League, three points from safety with only three games remaining.

TEAM NEWS: Scott Parker is a major doubt. The England international missed the recent defeats at Chelsea and Manchester City with an Achilles complaint. Fellow midfielders Gary O'Neil (ankle) and Mark Noble (hernia) will be absent and defender Matthew Upson is doubtful with a dead leg. Jordan Spence could feature after being recalled from his loan spell at Bristol City and on-loan Wayne Bridge returns to the squad after being ineligible to face parent club City.

Blackburn will give late fitness tests to Junior Hoilett, David Dunn and Michel Salgado ahead of the visit to Upton Park. Rovers boss Steve Kean believes at least two of the trio will be available for the Barclays Premier League match. Ryan Nelsen and Vince Grella are definitely out of the Upton Park clash where three points would secure Blackburn's top-flight status.