Preview: Blackpool vs. West Bromwich Albion
Blackpool’s fight for survival continues on Tuesday night when they welcome playoff-chasing West Bromwich Albion to Bloomfield Road as the Championship nears its dramatic conclusion.
The Seasiders recorded their first victory of the month on Saturday against Wigan Athletic, while Albion kept their top-six ambitions alive with a rare away win at Stoke City.
Following a worrying run of four successive defeats, Blackpool returned to winning ways at Bloomfield Road last time out, with a second-minute Jerry Yates goal securing a much-needed maximum for the hosts.
Stephen Dobbie has been handed the managerial job on an interim basis after the departure of veteran boss Mick McCarthy from the Seasiders hotseat, and the 40-year-old has a mammoth task in keeping his side in the division.
Blackpool currently sit 23rd in the Championship standings, four points behind Cardiff City in 21st, although the Bluebirds from Wales have played a game fewer – a crucial detail at this stage of the campaign.
All four of the Tangerines’ wins in 2023 have come at their Bloomfield Road home, including some very notable successes such as the 4-1 FA Cup win over Nottingham Forest and the 6-1 demolition of Gareth Ainsworth’s Queens Park Rangers in March.
Dobbie’s men have the joint-worst defensive record in the division – alongside the aforementioned R’s – having conceded 67 goals in 42 matches, managing just nine clean sheets all season.
West Brom recorded their first away win since January on Saturday afternoon at the bet365 Stadium against a Stoke side who have little to play for in the remainder of the season.
Albion supporters would have been preparing for another sombre trip back to the Black Country after Jacob Brown put the Potters ahead in the first half, however an unlikely brace from midfielder Jayson Molumby earned the visitors a vital win.
Carlos Corberan’s men are now 11th in the second-tier standings with 60 points collected, just three points behind sixth-placed Blackburn Rovers with five matches left to play.
Despite the relative proximity of the playoffs to Albion in terms of points, there are four teams ahead of West Brom in the playoff-chasing pack, meaning it is likely the West Midlands club will need to string a lot of wins together in order to reach the top six.
The Baggies have failed to win at Bloomfield Road in their last three visits, with the two clubs having played each other in the Championship, the FA Cup and the Premier League over the past 12 years.
Blackpool Championship form:
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West Bromwich Albion Championship form:
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We say: Blackpool 0-0 West Bromwich Albion
Blackpool will be buoyed after their win over relegation rivals Wigan on Saturday but now face a higher level of opposition in the form of West Brom, despite their injury crisis of late.
The Baggies have ended their woeful winless run on the road, but we believe a tough evening on the coast will effectively end their chances of reaching the top six this season.