Blackpoolvs.Peterborough

The Posh are currently 17th in the League One table, just four points clear of the relegation places on 37 points, while Blackpool are 11th on 44 points.

Match preview

The visitors secured a vital victory at the weekend, with a 3-1 win at home to bottom-placed Shrewsbury Town.

That win, combined with three of the bottom four teams in the division dropping points at the weekend, means that Peterborough are now four points clear of 21st-placed Burton Albion in the standings.

It was the second positive result in an excellent week for Darren Ferguson's side, as they sealed their place in the EFL Trophy final after beating Wrexham on penalties in midweek.

While remaining in League One will be the priority for Ferguson's men, the opportunity to have a day out at Wembley and lift silverware are a welcome distraction from the club's disappointing campaign in the league.

Having reached the playoffs in each of the last two campaigns, as well as lifting the EFL Trophy last season, this time around, it has been a frustrating year at the club.

Peterborough are the fourth-highest scorers in the division this season, with 51 goals in 33 matches, with Kwame Poku and Malik Mothersille combining for 19 goals between them.

However, they have let in even more goals than they have scored, with only Crawley Town conceding more than the 59 goals that Ferguson's side has shipped this season.

The Posh have notably struggled to perform on their travels, with their 12 points from 16 away matches in the league making them the fifth-worst performers away from home in the division.

The visitors are currently unbeaten in their last four matches in all competitions, and they have only lost three times in their last 12 matches overall.

They travel to a Blackpool side that have had no problems finding the back of the net in League One this season, with 49 goals in 33 matches, so the hosts will provide a big test for Peterborough's wobbly defence.

Blackpool will be hungry for some revenge on Tuesday evening, having suffered a humiliating 5-1 defeat away to Peterborough back in October, with Joel Randall netting a brace that day, as the Posh ran riot.

The Seasiders missed out on the playoffs last season under Neil Critchley by just three points, and Critchley was dismissed back in August following back-to-back defeats to start the campaign.

Steve Bruce was chosen as his successor in September, and the hosts are currently 12 points off the playoff positions with 13 games remaining.

Blackpool have drawn 14 times this season, more than any other side in the division, which is part of the reason why they find themselves stuck just above mid-table.

Indeed, nine of their last 15 league fixtures have ended in a draw, with Bruce's side currently on as many wins as their opponents on Tuesday evening.

There is a seven-point gap in the table between the two sides, with Blackpool's ability to grind out draws a major reason why the Posh trail them in the standings, as the Seasiders have double the amount of draws as Peterborough do, and they have lost seven fewer games than Ferguson's men.

Any faint hopes of reaching the playoffs this year were all but crushed at the weekend, as Bruce's side fell to a 2-1 defeat away to Stockport County, despite taking the lead through Ashley Fletcher.

Saturday's loss was their first defeat since Boxing Day, but the Seasiders have only won three games during that timeframe.

Blackpool have also only won three matches at home in the league all season, but Bloomfield Road has still been a difficult venue for visiting sides to win at, as the Seasiders have only lost twice there in the league all season, with 10 of their 15 home games ending in draws.

With the hosts winning just once in their last six attempts, Peterborough will feel confident that they can grab at least a point from this match, as they look to make it five matches unbeaten in all competitions.

Blackpool League One form:

D

D

D

D

W

L

Peterborough United League One form:

W

L

L

D

W

W

Peterborough United form (all competitions):

W

L

D

W

W

W

Team News

Blackpool defender Matthew Pennington is a doubt for this clash, having only recently returned to training following an ankle injury.

In a further blow for Bruce's side, Tom Bloxham is not expected to feature for at least a few more weeks due to a calf problem.

Meanwhile, the visitors are missing their leading scorer Poku due to a hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined for almost three months.

Peterborough's cup hero Bradley Ihionvien is likely to start in attack for the Posh, having got the nod at the weekend against Shrewsbury.

Blackpool possible starting lineup:

Tyrer; Husband, Casey, Offiah; Evans, Carey, Morgan, Coulson, Hamilton; Ennis, Fletcher

Peterborough United possible starting lineup:

Steer; Edun, Hughes, Wallin, Dornelly; Kyprianou, Collins, Hayes, Mothersille, Odoh; Ihionvien

We say: Blackpool 1-1 Peterborough United

Peterborough have had an excellent week, and we think they will grab a point on the road against a Blackpool side that are difficult to beat, but have failed to win enough games to really be pushing for the playoffs.

Written by

Tom Humphrey

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