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

Blackpool play host to Stoke City on Wednesday evening, looking for the victory which will keep the Seasiders in the top six of the Championship standings.

While the home side are on an upward trajectory, the same cannot be said of their opponents who are without a victory in four outings.

Match preview

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Before the start of the season, Blackpool boss Neil Critchley would have set a target of around 50 points to keep the newly-promoted club in the second tier.

However, on the back of four wins in five, Blackpool have almost reached half of that tally, putting them in the mix for an unlikely promotion bid.

Critchley's side are relishing the tag of minnows of the division, their latest statement result coming against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

At a time when they hold the fourth-best away record in the Championship, Blackpool also head into Wednesday's game on the back of three successive wins at Bloomfield Road.

Midfielder Keshi Anderson has scored in consecutive fixtures, easing the responsibility on Shayne Lavery and Jerry Yates who have five strikes apiece.

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When Blackpool were down towards the bottom of the standings earlier in the campaign, Stoke were putting together results which suggested that they could compete for automatic promotion.

However, since ending West Bromwich Albion's unbeaten league record on October 1, Stoke have collected just one point from a possible 12.

That draw came in demoralising circumstances, the Potters holding a 3-0 advantage at home to out-of-form Cardiff City before conceding three times in quick succession.

While Michael O'Neill has not reached the stage where he is under pressure to keep his job, he can ill-afford two more defeats on the road against Blackpool and Luton Town.

Team News

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With a number of players still ruled out through injury, Critchley could select the same 11 players which started Blackpool's win at Sheffield United.

Demetri Mitchell is most likely to come back into the team, potentially replacing Josh Bowler on the right flank.

O'Neill will almost certainly freshen up his Stoke side after their capitulation from a winning position against the Bluebirds.

Sam Clucas, providing that he passes a fitness test, and Mario Vrancic could be restored to a midfield three ahead of Jordan Thompson and Romaine Sawyers.

Danny Batth is also in contention to be handed a start in defence.

Blackpool possible starting lineup:
Grimshaw; Lawrence-Gabriel, Ekpiteta, Keogh, Garbutt; Bowler, Dougall, Wintle, Anderson; Yates, Madine

Stoke City possible starting lineup:
Bursik; Wilmot, Souttar, Batth; Smith, Vrancic, Allen, Clucas, Tymon; Brown, Fletcher

We say: Blackpool 2-1 Stoke City

At some stage, hope will turn into expectation for Blackpool if they continue on their current path. Nevertheless, that will not be on Wednesday night, and we are backing Blackpool to add another victory to their collection.

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