MX23RW : Monday, May 16 14:50:58| >> :120:3748:3748:
[monks data]
Apr 30, 2022 at 3pm UK at Bloomfield Road
Blackpool
0 - 2
Derby

Connolly (81')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Ebiowei (73'), Cashin (82')
Davies (84'), Ebosele (88')

Preview: Blackpool vs. Derby County - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship clash between Blackpool and Derby County, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Blackpool play host to Derby County on Saturday afternoon aware that claiming another victory at Bloomfield Road could take them into the top half of the Championship standings.

Meanwhile, the already-relegated Rams head into this contest playing for just pride and looking to avoid finishing in bottom position of the table.


Match preview

Blackpool manager Neil Critchley celebrates after the match on March 12, 2022© Reuters

Whatever happens during the final two matches of the season, Blackpool will be delighted with their efforts, the pre-season relegation favourites already guaranteed a top-16 position.

Nevertheless, Neil Critchley's side only sit three points adrift of 10th spot, and that will remain the motivation heading into games with Derby and Peterborough United.

As a result of the scrap higher up the table, recognition for Blackpool's results has been minimal, but reaching the 60-point mark at this stage is one of the most notable achievements in the EFL this campaign.

Blackpool also look determined to end with a flourish, posting seven points from their last three fixtures with the most recent of their nine goals during that period coming in Tuesday's 2-0 win at Barnsley.

In Owen Dale and Oliver Casey, the goals came from unlikely sources, and both players will want to make a further impact in their respective positions with next season's squad in mind.

Derby County manager Wayne Rooney after the match on March 1, 2022© Reuters

From Derby's perspective, their season has the potential to peter out now that an intense fight to retain their Championship status has ended in failure.

Wayne Rooney would have had every expectation that his Rams squad would have continued to perform to their best level when Bristol City were the visitors to Pride Park last weekend.

However, the East Midlands outfit were defeated 3-1 by one of the division's under-performing sides, highlighting that thoughts may have already turned to 2022-23.

On a human level, that is perfectly understandable, particularly when a takeover is still yet to be made official, but Rooney will demand at least one positive result from the game on Saturday or at home to Cardiff City next weekend to provide some optimism for the future.

Blackpool Championship form:
  • L
  • D
  • L
  • W
  • D
  • W

Derby County Championship form:
  • D
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • L
  • L



Team News

Blackpool's Shayne Lavery celebrates scoring his side's first goal on September 28, 2021© Reuters

Providing that he suffered no ill-effects to a rare 84 minutes on the pitch, Casey should retain his place in the centre of the Blackpool defence.

CJ Hamilton and Jerry Yates are both pushing for recalls to the side, but Critchley could be prepared to stick with the same starting lineup.

Derby will remain without Tom Lawrence, who serves the second of a two-game suspension for his dismissal at Queens Park Rangers.

While Rooney will naturally be looking ahead to next season, changes to his Derby XI are a possibility with Luke Plange potentially getting the nod ahead of Bartosz Cybulski in attack.

Louie Sibley may replace Louie Watson on the left-hand side of midfield, while youngster Eiran Cashin could return at centre-back after being handed a rest for the Bristol City game.

Blackpool possible starting lineup:
Maxwell; Connolly, Ekpiteta, Casey, Husband; Dale, Virtue, Dougall, Kirk; Beesley, Lavery

Derby County possible starting lineup:
Allsop; Byrne, Cashin, Davies, Forsyth; Thompson, Bird; Ebiowei, Morrison, Sibley; Plange


SM words green background

We say: Blackpool 2-1 Derby County

Given Derby's abysmal away record, Blackpool will fancy their chances of running riot at the weekend. While that may not materialise, we still expect the Tangerines to claim all three points, potentially benefitting from a fast start.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:curl


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How you voted: Blackpool vs Derby

Blackpool
68.4%
Draw
15.8%
Derby County
15.8%
19
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Derby County manager Wayne Rooney on February 23, 2022
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Tables
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6Luton TownLuton462112136355875
7Middlesbrough462010165950970
8Blackburn RoversBlackburn461912155950969
9Millwall461815135345869
10West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom461813155245767
11Queens Park RangersQPR46199186059166
12Coventry CityCoventry461713166059164
13Preston North EndPreston461616145256-464
14Stoke CityStoke461711185752562
15Swansea CitySwansea461613175868-1061
16Blackpool461612185458-460
17Bristol City461510216277-1555
18Cardiff CityCardiff46158235068-1853
19Hull City46149234154-1351
20Birmingham CityBirmingham461114215075-2547
21Reading46138255487-3341
RPeterborough UnitedPeterborough46910274387-4437
RDerby CountyDerby461413194553-834
RBarnsley46612283373-4030

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