League One side Blackpool host Premier League outfit West Bromwich Albion in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday, with the two sides facing each other in the competition for the first time since January 1978.

The Baggies have struggled in the top-flight this campaign and currently languish in the relegation zone, while the Tangerines sit 13th in the third tier and have won both of their FA Cup ties this season by an aggregate score of 7-0.

Match preview

West Brom boss Sam Allardyce will be returning to familiar territory this weekend as he comes up against a side where it all began as a manager nearly 30 years ago.

Allardyce's first full-time managerial position came back in 1994 with Blackpool, where he managed over 100 games during a two-year spell at the club. The former England manager returns to Bloomfield Road on Saturday, with the hope of securing his first victory as Baggies boss.

West Brom have drawn one and lost three since the 66-year-old's appointment before Christmas, with the real concern for them being their defensive frailties after shipping 13 goals in those matches, nine of which were at home against Leeds United and Arsenal in their last two games.

The Baggies have won seven of their last nine meetings with Blackpool in all competitions, with Saturday's clash the first game between the sides since January 2011 in the Premier League, which they won 3-2.

Victory this weekend would see West Brom progress to the fourth round for the fourth successive season, and Allardyce will be hoping that a positive result can be a springboard for a run of good results in the weeks to come.

Blackpool secured their place in the hat for the third round draw of the FA Cup for the third successive season after impressive victories in the previous rounds back in November.

The Tangerines defeated non-league side Eastbourne Borough 3-0 before cruising to a 4-0 victory over League Two outfit Harrogate Town and have been rewarded with a tie against Premier League opposition this weekend.

Blackpool, however, are winless in their last 15 FA Cup games against top-flight sides since beating Burnley in the third round back in January 1976.

Neil Critchley's side have also won just one of their last six matches in all competitions, failing to win any of their last three league games, including a 2-1 defeat away at Bristol Rovers last weekend.

However, the Tangerines have fared better at Bloomfield Road as they are currently unbeaten in their last six games on home soil, most recently winning 3-2 against Hull City.

A surprise victory against the Baggies on Saturday would see Blackpool progress to the fourth round of the FA Cup for the first time since the 2016-17 season.

Blackpool FA Cup form: WWDLWW
Blackpool form (all competitions): LDWDLL

West Bromwich Albion form (FA Cup): WDLWWL
West Bromwich Albion form (all competitions): LDLDLL

Team News

Blackpool forward CJ Hamilton is ruled out with a hamstring injury, while goalkeeper Chris Maxwell and midfielder Matty Virtue are both unavailable as they are recovering from coronavirus.

Defender Daniel Gretarsson, who has not featured in the last three matches, remains a doubt for Saturday's fixture.

West Brom will be without strikers Karlan Grant and Hal Robson-Kanu as well as left-back Conor Townsend, who are all suffering with minor injuries.

Allardyce is unlikely to make wholesale changes to his side but could give starts to defender Kyle Bartley and midfielder Rekeem Harper.

Blackpool possible starting lineup:
Walker; Turton, Ekpiteta, Ballard, Husband; Robson, Ward, Dougall; Kemp, Madine, Yates

West Bromwich Albion possible starting lineup:
Johnstone; Ivanovic, Bartley, O'Shea, Gibbs; Phillips, Sawyers, Harper, Diangana; Pereira; Robinson

We say: Blackpool 1-2 West Bromwich Albion

The last nine meetings between the two sides have seen both teams score on each occasion and with the two clubs conceding a combined 62 times in the league this season, goals are to be expected on Saturday. Blackpool will fancy their chances against an out-of-form West Bromwich Albion side, but the Premier League outfit should have enough quality to progress to the next round.

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