Preview: Blackpool vs. Watford - prediction, team news, lineups

At a time when the Hornets sit in ninth position in the standings, Blackpool are down in 21st place after a run of four games without success.

Match preview

When Slaven Bilic witnessed his Watford side make light work of Stoke City last weekend, the Croatian would have been optimistic about his players being equally ruthless against Swansea City three days later.

However, the visitors overturned a half-time deficit to record a surprise 2-1 win at Vicarage Road, reducing Watford to two wins from their last 10 matches in all competitions.

Although Bilic will argue that his team deserved at least a point, he is already too aware that results mean more than performances at the club that he chose to join late last month.

On a positive note, Watford's defeat came on the same matchday that top-two sides Sheffield United and Norwich City also dropped points, leaving the Hertfordshire-based outfit just seven points adrift of first place.

With Ismaila Sarr back in the team and scoring in two successive matches, Bilic will feel confident about returning to winning ways against their next opponents.

Blackpool had initially taken to life under Michael Appleton, recording eight points from their opening six matches this season.

However, just four have come from the next batch of half-a-dozen fixtures, including four defeats, and it took a goalless draw at Sunderland earlier this week to stop the rot.

While Appleton will be more than satisfied with a share of the spoils at the Stadium of Light, the Seasiders head into games with Watford and Sheffield United facing a battle to avoid dropping into the relegation zone.

Blackpool have also scored just twice in six outings, while they have not posted a victory at their home ground since the opening day of the campaign.

Blackpool Championship form:

L

W

L

L

L

D

Watford Championship form:

W

D

L

D

W

L

Team News

Appleton will be forced into at least one change to his Blackpool XI with Kenneth Dougall collecting his fifth yellow card of the season earlier this week.

While Sonny Carey may be restored to the starting lineup, Appleton could opt to hand a first outing of the season to Liam Bridcutt.

Theo Corbeanu is pushing for a recall on one of the flanks, potentially in place of Shayne Lavery.

With this game representing the third in less than a week, Bilic will likely make alterations to his Watford side.

Imran Louza and Vakoun Issouf Bayo are pushing for opportunities in midfield and attack respectively, while Mario Gaspar and Francisco Sierralta are both struggling with injuries.

Given the amount of players on the sidelines, a change of system is possible, while academy graduate Matthew Pollock could make his first Championship start in defence.

Blackpool possible starting lineup:

Maxwell; Connolly, Ekpiteta, Thorniley, Thompson; Wright, Bridcutt, Patino; Corbeanu, Madine, Yates

Watford possible starting lineup:

Bachmann; Gaspar, Kabasele, Pollock, Kamara; Choudhury, Louza; Sarr, Asprilla, Sema; Bayo

We say: Blackpool 1-2 Watford

On the back of the defeat to Swansea, Bilic will be eager to record a bounce-back win. While we do not think that the visitors will have it all their own way in the North-West, we are backing the Hornets to edge this contest by the odd goal in three.

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