Blackpool make the trip to Stevenage on Friday knowing only a win will do if they wish to remain in the race for the playoffs.
At a time when the visitors sit in 10th position in the League One table, Stevenage are eight points adrift in 14th place.
Match preview
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Despite the encouragement that they offered in January, Stevenage's season is on the brink of ending on a damp squib as they settle for a mid-table spot.
Just one win has been recorded in their last seven matches, a 3-1 victory over a Crawley Town side that remain in 22nd place in the standings.
Four defeats have been posted during that period, all of which have come away from home with Stevenage netting just one in losses to Birmingham City, Leyton Orient, Stockport County and Wycombe Wanderers.
Alex Revell may feel that some context is required given the level of opposition that his team have recently faced, yet his side now sit just five points ahead of 19th position.
Finishing lower than their current 14th spot would represent considerable disappointment, but Stevenage conclude the campaign with three home games in four outings, having the opportunity to strengthen a record that has already seen them post 31 points from 20 such encounters.
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Meanwhile, Blackpool's outside playoff chances were made even slimmer last time out as they lost out 2-1 at Rotherham United.
That brought an end to a three-match winning streak for Steve Bruce's side, leaving the Seasiders nine points adrift of the top six albeit with a match in hand.
The downside for Blackpool is that they face no direct rivals during the run-in, while home encounters against Wrexham and champions Birmingham do not make things any easier.
Nevertheless, this is a side that has accumulated 31 points from 21 away league fixtures during 2024-25, picking up nine victories in that period.
Team News
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Having only lost by a solitary goal at Wycombe, Revell is likely to keep changes down to a minimum for this contest.
Jake Young and Elliott List will both feel in contention to return in the final third, but Jake Forster-Caskey will not be considered for a start having made his long-awaited return from injury as a substitute last time out.
Meanwhile, Lee Evans is likely to miss out for Blackpool having been withdrawn in the first half at Rotherham.
Tom Bloxham seems in line to replace him, while CJ Hamilton and Sam Silvera were introduced at half time in Yorkshire and will hope for recalls.
However, Jake Beesley misses out through suspension after he was sent off during the second half at the New York Stadium.
Stevenage possible starting lineup:
Ashby-Hammond; James-Wildin, Goode, Piergianni, Butler; Thompson, White, Phillips; Kemp; Appere, Reid
Blackpool possible starting lineup:
Tyrer; Offiah, Casey, Husband, Coulson; Hamilton, Bloxham, Morgan, Silvera; Carey, Fletcher
We say: Stevenage 1-2 Blackpool
With both clubs stuck in mid-table, the pressure is lifted to a large extent for this contest. However, with Blackpool needing to go all out for maximum points, we are backing Bruce's side to edge this fixture during the latter stages.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
