Blackpool will look to maintain their unbeaten start to 2024 when they welcome Exeter City to Bloomfield Road for Saturday’s League One contest.
While the hosts are currently sitting in eighth place, Exeter are three points clear of the drop zone in 20th position.
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After finishing 2023 with consecutive defeats, Blackpool have experienced improved fortunes in their opening three games of the new year.
They kicked off 2024 with a 2-0 win over Lincoln City, before they played out a 2-2 FA Cup draw against Nottingham Forest after failing to protect a two-goal lead against their Premier League opponents.
Neil Critchley‘s side followed that result with a successful outing in Wednesday’s EFL Trophy match against Burton Albion, with Matthew Virtue-Thick and Marvin Ekpiteta scoring in a 2-1 win to send the Tangerines through to the quarter-finals.
While they can be pleased with their efforts in their recent cup outings, Blackpool’s top priority will be to close the four-point gap between themselves and the League One playoff places.
Having won each of their last six home matches in all competitions, the Tangerines will certainly fancy their chances of claiming maximum points on Saturday.
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Exeter, meanwhile, will be looking to record a second straight victory after edging out Carlisle United in last Saturday’s home league meeting.
Goals from Reece Cole and Sonny Cox proved enough to secure a narrow 2-1 win, which ultimately moved the Grecians out of the bottom four.
After extending their unbeaten home run to three matches, Gary Caldwell‘s side will now head on their travels, where they have found wins hard to come by.
The Grecians have lost seven of their last eight away games in the third tier since claiming their most recent away league victory against Burton on September 2.
Not only have they struggled on the road, but Exeter have failed to win any of their previous five competitive meetings with Blackpool, with their most recent head-to-head victory taking place in March 2001.
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Blackpool are expected to be without the injured duo of Jake Beesley and Kylian Kouassi, while Matthew Pennington is a doubt due to concussion protocols.
Forward Shayne Lavery could provide a useful option off the bench after making his return from injury as a substitute in Wednesday’s win over Burton Albion.
Jordan Rhodes, who has netted 15 league goals this term, will lead the line for the hosts after it was confirmed that he will remain on loan from Huddersfield Town for the remainder of the season.
Despite closing in on a return to fitness, Exeter trio Vincent Harper, Caleb Watts and Jack Fitzwater are not expected to be ready for the weekend.
Midfielder Ryan Trevitt has been recalled by his parent club Brentford after he sustained a long-term injury in December
Centre-back Will Aimson and midfielder Harry Kite should recover from their respective injury issues to feature in the matchday squad.
Blackpool possible starting lineup:
Grimshaw; Connolly, Casey, Husband; Lawrence-Gabriel, Norburn, Morgan, Lyons; Dembele, Hamilton; Rhodes
Exeter City possible starting lineup:
Sinisalo; Sweeney, Diabate, Hartridge; Rankine, Carroll, Cole, Jules; Harris, Aitchison; Cox
Although Exeter come into the game off the back of a victory, they have tended to struggle on the road this season, and we think that their poor away form will continue against a Blackpool side that have won each of their previous six competitive home matches.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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