As part of this weekend's League One action, Blackpool are set to host relegation-threatened Cambridge United at Bloomfield Road on Saturday.
Both sides come into the game looking for their first win of 2025, though the Seasiders are unbeaten this year so far while the U's have lost both of their games in January.
Match preview
Steve Bruce's Blackpool are currently 15th in League One after picking up 30 points from their 24 matches this term.
The Seasiders are 11 points behind Reading in the playoff spots and 10 above Crawley Town in the relegation zone - the definition of mid-table – and will be keen to kickstart the second part of their campaign with a win this weekend.
Last time out, Blackpool drew 1-1 with title-chasing Wycombe Wanderers, a result that means that Saturday's hosts have lost just one of their last five games, drawing four in that period.
However, despite being unbeaten in their last three fixtures, Bruce's side are without a win since December 14 when they beat Reading 3-0 on the road, though a match against a team at risk of relegation represents a great chance for them to take all three points.
That being said, the Seasiders needed a 93rd-minute equaliser from Kyle Joseph to rescue a point against the Chairboys' 10 men, and also drew 1-1 with 22nd-placed Shrewsbury Town on New Year's Day, so it remains to be seen whether Blackpool can translate their superior league position into a long-awaited victory this weekend.
Ahead of their trip to Bloomfield Road, Garry Monk's Cambridge are 23rd in the table, having earned 17 points from their 21 games to date.
The U's are currently on a five-game losing streak that has left them eight points behind Bristol Rovers, who are the first team outside of the relegation zone.
To add to this, Monk's side have lost eight of their last 10, and have won just one of their last 14 matches in all competitions - a 4-1 victory over Shrewsbury in early December.
Last time out, Saturday's visitors lost a relegation 'six-pointer' when they were beaten 1-0 at home by the Gas, though it could be argued that Cambridge were unlucky to lose given they managed three times as many shots on target as their opponents, and Elias Kachunga squandered a golden chance just beyond the hour mark.
This weekend, the U's will be hoping to convert more of the chances they create, especially considering that they have scored just twice in their last five fixtures, though they may need more than one goal to secure a positive result due to their lacklustre defence that has not kept a clean sheet since November.
Team News
Blackpool boss Bruce will still be without striker Jake Beesley this weekend, and the Ashley Fletcher can be expected to start up top alongside Kyle Joseph on Saturday.
More positively, centre-back Elkan Baggott made a return to the matchday squad against Wycombe for the first time since early November, though Matthew Pennington and Oliver Casey are likely to start in front of goalkeeper Harry Tyrer as he builds fitness.
As for Cambridge, they will miss centre-back Michael Morrison after his stoppage-time dismissal last time out, and Zeno Ibsen Rossi and Danny Andrew are likely to be joined by Kelland Watts in defence.
To make matters worse for Monk, forward Dan N'Lundulu was withdrawn due to an injury against Bristol Rovers, so expect Ryan Loft to assume his place in the XI.
Blackpool possible starting lineup:
Tyrer; Offiah, Pennington, Casey, Husband; Apter, Evans, Morgan, Carey; Joseph, Fletcher
Cambridge United possible starting lineup:
Stevens; Rossi, Watts, Andrew; Bennett, Cousins, Smith, Brophy; Stokes, Kachunga, Loft
We say: Blackpool 1-0 Cambridge United
Both sides are without a win in their last five games, though Blackpool have drawn their last three while Cambridge have lost theirs.
This weekend, the U's will be desperate to avoid being cut adrift in the relegation zone, but their blunt offence and weak defence makes it difficult to envision Monk's side taking anything from Saturday's clash.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
body check tags ::
Previews by email
