Blackpoolvs.Crawley

The Seasiders extended their unbeaten streak with a draw last time out, while the Red Devils are on their longest undefeated stretch since August.

Match preview

After coming from behind to earn a point against Mansfield Town last week, Steve Bruce's Blackpool have now gone 10 games without losing in the third tier.

In that match, the Seasiders gave up their early lead and were 3-1 down until Ashley Fletcher and Niall Ennis scored twice in six second-half minutes to level against the Stags.

However, while that result would be commendable out of context, Bruce's side have won just twice since mid-December and have dropped eight points in February alone, leaving them 12th in the table with 41 points from their 31 matches this term.

Currently 12 behind sixth-placed Leyton Orient, Saturday's hosts will need to start taking maximum points from their remaining fixtures if they are to climb beyond mid-table, though their home record suggests that they will find it difficult to do so this weekend considering they have not won at Bloomfield Road since September.

On the other hand, Blackpool will be facing a relegation candidate on Saturday, and they should see the game as the perfect opportunity to earn their first win in five matches.

Meanwhile, Rob Elliot's Crawley Town have taken five points from their three most recent games, a major improvement over the five they had earned over the previous 10.

Last time out, the Red Devils' Charlie Barker scored an equaliser just before half time in a 1-1 draw with Wigan Athletic that kept his team just two points behind Peterborough United, the first team safe from the drop.

In this weekend's reverse fixture, Crawley began their first season back in League One for nine years by beating Blackpool 2-1 thanks to goals from Rushian Hepburn-Murphy and Junior Quitirna.

However, with just three away wins to their name this term and five losses from their last seven games on the road, Saturday's visitors may struggle to repeat that result this time around.

That being said, Elliot's side could take confidence from the fact that Blackpool seem unable to win matches in recent months, and a draw at the very least would be much appreciated by a team that are fighting for every point in the relegation battle.

Blackpool League One form:

W

W

D

D

D

D

Crawley Town League One form:

W

L

L

W

D

D

Team News

Having proven his importance to Blackpool in recent weeks, Sonny Carey is in line for a contract extension according to boss Bruce, and the club's number 10 is likely to start in a role supporting striker Niall Ennis this weekend.

At the opposite end of the pitch, Oliver Casey should start at centre-back in front of Harry Tyrer between the sticks, though Elkan Baggott may not make the XI after being taken off early last time out.

If Baggott is not selected, expect Hayden Coulson to join the lineup this time around in his absence.

As for Crawley, Liam Fraser made his first start against Wigan and came in for praise from his manager, who described the midfielder as an 'animal'.

On Saturday, Fraser is likely to start in the middle of a trio featuring Max Anderson and Panutche Camara once again, flanked by Kami Doyle and Harry Forster.

Blackpool possible starting lineup:

Tyrer; Offiah, Casey, Baggott, Husband; Apter, Evans, Morgan, Silvera; Carey, Ennis

Crawley Town possible starting lineup:

Wollacott; Barker, Conroy, Radcliffe; Doyle, Anderson, Fraser, Camara, Forster; Hepburn-Murphy, Showunmi

We say: Blackpool 1-1 Crawley Town

Blackpool may have the advantage in terms of league position, but their inability to take maximum points could hinder them once again this weekend.

Written by

Anthony Nolan

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