Preview: Blackpool vs. Stoke City - prediction, team news, lineups

At a time when the Seasiders sit at the bottom of the Championship standings, the Potters have recently moved seven points clear of the relegation zone.

Match preview

When you fail to win in 14 matches in any division, you are going to do well not to sit in last place, and that is the scenario which is currently facing Blackpool.

Nevertheless, the North-West outfit still only sit four points adrift of safety with a match in hand on 21st position, highlighting that success at the weekend could turn their fortunes around.

Blackpool were in contention to post a third draw in succession earlier this week when levelling against Swansea City with 20 minutes remaining, but the previous sending off of Charlie Patino ultimately played a part in a 2-1 defeat.

While McCarthy only has two points from his four league games in charge, the veteran boss will have taken positives from some of his team's performances ahead of the showdown with Stoke.

With just nine points separating these two teams, there is an opportunity to pull some of the teams above them back into a race to avoid dropping into the third tier.

That will still be the priority of Alex Neil despite his Stoke side collecting seven points from a possible 12 since January 21.

Although those victories have been over an inconsistent Reading outfit and a struggling Huddersfield, Stoke showcased their potential if their talented squad are firing on all cylinders.

Despite a sending off helping their cause in the latter, a clean sheet may have been posted regardless with the Staffordshire outfit having now conceded just once in their last four outings.

A remarkable run is required to catapult themselves back into promotion contention, but Stoke sit just 10 points adrift of sixth-placed Watford with a match in hand.

Blackpool Championship form:

D

L

L

D

D

L

Blackpool form (all competitions):

L

L

L

D

D

L

Stoke City Championship form:

L

L

W

L

D

W

Stoke City form (all competitions):

L

W

W

L

D

W

Team News

With Patino on the sidelines through suspension, Sonny Carey may drop back into a deeper central-midfield role courtesy of Tom Trybull still recovering from a hamstring injury.

McCarthy is lacking options to deputise in the number 10 role, with Ian Poveda-Ocampo or Morgan Rogers seemingly most likely to be drafted into the team, potentially resulting in Josh Bowler moving into the middle.

Although alterations are possible in defence, the remainder of the starting lineup could stay the same.

Barring any injury issues, Neil is unlikely to make any alterations to his Stoke team having been able to rest key men during the final 15 minutes versus Huddersfield.

While Manchester United loanee Axel Tuanzebe made his debut from the substitutes' bench, the centre-back will not be rushed back after a year of inactivity.

Despite generally using a back three this campaign, it seems likely that Neil will stick with a defensive four for this contest.

Blackpool possible starting lineup:

Maxwell; Lyons, Connolly, Thorniley, Husband; Dougall, Carey; Poveda-Ocampo, Bowler, Hamilton; Yates

Stoke City possible starting lineup:

Sarkic; Sterling, Wilmot, Jagielka, Fox; Pearson, Laurent; Brown, Smallbone, Campbell; Gayle

We say: Blackpool 1-2 Stoke City

While Blackpool do not feel too far away from getting back to winning ways, getting over the line is easier said than done. Stoke have managed that in recent weeks, and we expect the visitors to battle their way to another important victory at Bloomfield Road.

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