In a top-of-the-table clash, fourth-placed Blackpool will host third-placed Lincoln City in League One on Tuesday at Bloomfield Road.
The home side have 14 points after eight games and have won their last four league fixtures, while the visitors have 14 points after seven games and beat Cambridge United 2-0 on Saturday in their most recent match.
Match preview
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Blackpool began their 2024-25 league campaign poorly, losing their first two fixtures before drawing their subsequent two.
Neil Critchley was sacked after just two league games, with the club having appointed Richard Keogh as interim head coach, and he oversaw the previously mentioned draws.
During those four games, they conceded 11 goals and scored seven times, with the Seasiders drawing 4-4 against Cambridge United on August 24 despite leading 4-1 after 53 minutes.
Steve Bruce was eventually appointed manager on a two-year deal on September 3, and the hosts have since won all four league games with Bruce in charge, scoring nine goals and conceding just twice.
In their last game, Blackpool won 3-0 against Burton Albion on Saturday, and boss Bruce became the first ever Pool manager to win their first four league games.
Since being relegated to League One in 2023-24, Bruce's side have won 16, drawn seven and lost just four times in their last 27 home matches in the division.
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Opponents Lincoln City come into the clash having beaten Cambridge United 2-0 last time out, a match in which they had just 39% possession but were able to create four big chances and limit Cambridge to just one.
The visitors have in fact averaged the lowest possession figure of any of the 24 teams in the division, but they have still averaged the seventh most goals per match.
Manager Michael Skubala said on September 25 that his side have had a good start to the season, but emphasised that he thought there were moments his team could have shown more consistency.
Skubala's team are unbeaten in their last five league games, winning three and drawing two, and in that time they have kept four clean sheets and scored seven goals.
Lincoln's away form in League One has been outstanding for several months, with the club having won nine, drawn four and lost no games on the road since January 13.
Team News
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Blackpool will be without Andy Lyons, who has been sidelined since February due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Elkan Baggott and Oliver Norburn may miss another month as a result of respective ankle and hamstring injuries, while Dom Ballard could require surgery on a shoulder issue.
More positively, James Husband should be fit enough to feature on Tuesday at left-back, and he could be accompanied in defence by Oliver Casey, Odeluga Offiah and Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel.
Lincoln City striker Ben House was forced off in his side's most recent game after just six minutes, and he could be replaced in the starting XI by Freddie Draper, who scored his team's first goal against Cambridge United.
Bailey Cadamarteri may start alongside Draper given he was brought on at half time and scored.
Ethan Erhahon could start at the base of a midfield three, accompanied by Conor McGrandles and Jack Moylan.
Blackpool possible starting lineup:
Tyrer; Lawrence-Gabriel, Offiah, Casey, Husband; Apter, Evans, Morgan, Hamilton; Rhodes, Joseph
Lincoln City possible starting lineup:
Wickens; Jackson, O'Connor, Roughan; Darikwa, Moylan, Erhahon, McGrandles, Ring; Draper, Cadamarteri
We say: Blackpool 1-1 Lincoln City
Tuesday's clash will no doubt be fiercely contested, but it is difficult to see either side coming out on top given Blackpool's recent good form and Lincoln's strong away record.
Additionally, considering the hosts' improvement defensively under Bruce and the fact the visitors have kept four clean sheets in their last five league games, it would be surprising if the match was high scoring.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
