Preview: Blackpool vs. Queens Park Rangers - prediction, team news, lineups

At a time when the Seasiders sit six points adrift of safety, QPR are in 19th spot in the standings having ended a prolonged losing streak at the weekend.

Match preview

Faced with a 12-match winless streak, Gareth Ainsworth would have been aware of the importance of collecting something from Saturday's meeting with Watford.

A draw may have been deemed acceptable to get another point on the board against promotion candidates, but an early goal from Tim Iroegbunam secured a maximum return for the Hoops.

Although it is just one result in isolation, QPR are now 10 points above the safety line with 10 matches left, heaping further pressure on the teams below them.

While Ainsworth will want to finish the season as high as possible, he will know that three wins from the run-in will realistically guarantee their second-tier status, allowing him to place more focus on building for 2023-24.

Nevertheless, QPR have not won back-to-back fixtures since October, a streak which Ainsworth and his squad would like to break ahead of travelling to a direct rival.

Since Mick McCarthy's arrival at Blackpool, there have been positive aspects about some of the club's performances and results, yet they have not done enough in the more favourable matches on their schedule.

An away fixture at Bristol City did not necessarily fit that criteria, but the Tangerines failed to make the most of holding their hosts for almost an hour, an outstanding finish from Andreas Weimann setting the Robins on their way to a 2-0 triumph.

As a result, Blackpool head into this fixture sitting six points behind 21st position, and McCarthy knows that he and his team must take advantage of playing six of their remaining 10 games at Bloomfield Road.

Blackpool are five matches unbeaten on familiar territory, although four of those encounters have ended in stalemates which have ultimately not helped their cause.

Blackpool Championship form:

L

W

L

L

D

L

Queens Park Rangers Championship form:

L

L

L

L

L

W

Team News

With Blackpool forward Gary Madine suffering a knee injury at the weekend, Morgan Rogers or CJ Hamilton could be used in the final third.

Kenneth Dougall is expected to remain on the substitutes' bench due to the threat of a two-man ban for 10 yellow cards, but Arsenal loanee Charlie Patino may be considered for a recall.

If McCarthy tinkers with his backline, the return of James Husband at centre-back or left-back is a possibility.

The win at the weekend may ease the pressure on Ainsworth to overload Lyndon Dykes after his return to the starting lineup at the weekend.

Jamal Lowe could move forward to replace the Scotland international, allowing Stefan Johansen or Luke Amos to return in midfield in what could be the only change to the team.

Blackpool possible starting lineup:

Maxwell; Gabriel, Nelson, Thorniley, Thompson; Connolly, Carey; Bowler, Rogers, Garbutt; Yates

Queens Park Rangers possible starting lineup:

Dieng; Dickie, Dunne, Field; Drewe, Iroegbunam, Dozzell, Johansen, Kakay; Lowe, Martin

We say: Blackpool 1-1 Queens Park Rangers

McCarthy has little option put to adopt an attacking approach to this game in a bid to take points off a direct rival. However, Ainsworth also knows that a share of the spoils would be a solid result, and we feel that a low-scoring draw could play out on the North-West coast.

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