Blackpool host Birmingham City at Bloomfield Road tonight for the first leg of the crucial playoff semi-finals.

Both clubs have recent Premier League experience and will be determined to reach Wembley for the final against either Cardiff City or West Ham United.

Ian Holloway is expected to add striker Roman Bednar to the bench after the frontman completed a reserve match following a knee injury, while Matt Phillips, Tom Ince and Gary Taylor-Fletcher could be positioned in attack for the Seasiders.

Craig Cathcart will remain out of contention as the defender continues to be treated after suffering heart palpitations.

Meanwhile, Chris Hughton is likely to line up with a standard 4-4-2 formation, with Nikola Zigic retaining his spot up front, despite suffering a knee injury during the Blues' 2-0 win over Reading last weekend.

Current form:

Blackpool: WDDWWD
Birmingham: WDDDDW

Possible lineups:

Blackpool: Gilks; Eardley, Baptiste, Evatt, Crainey; Ferguson, Angel, Dobbie; Ince, Taylor-Fletcher, M Phillips

Birmingham: Doyle, Murphy, Pablo, Davies, Ramage; Burke, Huseklepp, Mutch, Redmond; King, Zigic

Sports Mole says: 1-0