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

Blackpool play host to Hull City on New Year's Day looking to improve on a run of five defeats from six matches in the Championship.

Meanwhile, the visitors, who have seen their latest fixtures postponed due to coronavirus cases, have failed to win any of their last three fixtures in the second tier.

Match preview

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If you were to look at Blackpool's recent run of results, you are likely to jump to the conclusion that Neil Critchley's side are on a downward slide.

While part of that is arguably true, their performances have deserved more, particularly from their last two fixtures, where they have suffered late defeats to Huddersfield Town and Middlesbrough respectively.

The 10-man Seasiders held a 2-1 lead at Huddersfield before wilting during the closing stages, while they thought that they had earned a late point versus in-form Middlesbrough on Wednesday night until they conceded a 93rd-minute winner.

That result was especially gut-wrenching with a make-shift team - courtesy of injuries and coronavirus cases - matching their high-flying opponents for much of the game.

Critchley has acknowledged that his squad are down to the bare bones, but such was the level of their display in midweek that they will be expected to build on it at Bloomfield Road on Saturday.

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Opponents Hull saw their six-match undefeated streak come to an end on December 18 when they went down 2-1 at Nottingham Forest.

However, the Tigers were on the receiving end of a game-changing penalty decision, the referee seemingly making the wrong call when the visitors held a 1-0 lead at the City Ground.

Positives will be taken from the performance in the East Midlands, but the setback has the potential to halt Hull's momentum as they bid to move further away from the bottom three.

Their bid to overcome that disappointment has not been helped by the amount of coronavirus cases among the squad, manager Grant McCann one of the people who have been forced to isolate.

While some players and staff are in contention to return at the weekend, it remains to be seen whether the enforced break will benefit or hinder them over the coming weeks.

Team News

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Barring any further selection issues, Critchley may be prepared to stick with the team which held their own against Boro.

With Hull operating with a back three, the formation could also stay the same, but Josh Bowler, Demetri Mitchell and Shayne Lavery are all on standby to offer fresh legs.

While Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel is available after serving a ban for two yellow cards, he will likely take a place on the substitutes' bench.

Given the amount of Hull players who have tested positive for coronavirus, it is unclear who will be available at the weekend should the game go ahead.

Blackpool possible starting lineup:
Grimshaw; Sterling, Ekpiteta, Keogh, Gretarsson, Husband; Connolly, Dougall, Anderson; Madine, Yates

Hull City possible starting lineup:
Baxter; Bernard, McLoughlin, Greaves; Longman, Smallwood, Docherty, Lewis-Potter; Honeyman; Wilks, Magennis

We say: Blackpool 1-1 Hull City

With both managers having plenty of selection issues, they will just be hoping that they come through unscathed. Either way, we feel that this contest is destined to end in a low-scoring draw, one which will be accepted by both clubs given the circumstances.

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