Stoke City will face it off with Blackpool in the Championship on Saturday, with both sides being aware that only a win will do if they want to remain in the promotion race.
The two teams are currently 10 and nine points adrift of the playoff positions having struggled for consistency since the turn of the year.
Some people could argue with the standard of Stoke’s business during the January transfer window, as Michael O’Neil attempted to shake the club into action.
As it appeared initially, a revival was very much on the cards, but Stoke have failed to win in any of their last four matches since a 3-0 victory over Swansea City.
Stoke City, who have now succeded in just two of their last 12 matches, are now in the 15th spot, realistically needing to win 10 of their remaining 13 matches to stay in the playoff hunt.
The Potters gave a solid account of themselves in the FA Cup fifth round on Tuesday, but the 2-1 defeat against Crystal Palace was their reverse by that scoreline in a row.
O’Neil’s side have lost four of their last six games at the bet365 Stadium having previously only suffered two setbacks in 11 attempts.
Blackpool have already guaranteed their second-division status for another 12 months, and they can afford to go all out for wins during the final period of the season.
Neil Critchley has worked wonders for Blackpool, but both he and his side share a desire to really kick on, starting by achieving a top-10 finish after they were previously fancied for relegation.
The Seasiders have scored in each of their last 12 matches in the Championship, although that still only gives them the joint 15th-best attacking record, with Shayne Lavery remaining their leading marksman with eight goals in the Champioship.
Stoke City vs Blackpool head to head
The two teams have previously met on 41 occasions across all competitions, with Stoke taking 19 victories while Blackpool have won in 10, and they have drawn in 12. Stoke have scored 66 goals and conceded 51. In their last five meetings, Stoke have won twice, Blackpool once with two draws.
Stoke City 4-3 Blackpool 22/09/09
Stoke City 0-1 Blackpool 11/12/10
Blackpool 0-0 Stoke City 30/04/11
Stoke City (P)0-0 Blackpool 29/08/20
Blackpool 0-1 Stoke City 03/11/21
Stoke City latest home form
Despite recently winning two successive matches, Stoke seem to be on a downturn in form as they have failed to win in their last two matches. In their five most recent matches, they have won two, drawn one and lost two, scoring 10 goals and conceding 7 in the process.
Stoke City 2-3 Fulham 22/01/22
Stoke City 2-0 Wigan Athletic 05/02/22
Stoke City 3-0 Swansea City 08/02/22
Stoke City 2-2 Birmingham City 19/02/22
Stoke City 1-2 Luton Town 23/02/22
Stoke City latest away form
The Potters have recently been on a poor run of form on the road, having failed to win in any of their five most recent matches. They lost their last away game 2-1 to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup. In their last five matches, they have scored 5 goals and conceded 8.
Coventry City 1-0 Stoke City 25/01/22
Huddersfield Town 1-1 Stoke City 28/01/22
Nottingham Forest 2-2 Stoke City 12/02/22
AFC Bournemouth 2-1 Stoke City 26/02/22
Crystal Palace 2-1 Stoke City 01/03/22
Blackpool latest home form
Blackpool have recently been on good form at home, having lost just one of their five most recent matches. They lost 2-1 to AFC Bournemouth in the league on February 12. In their last five matches, they have won four and lost one, scoring 10 goals and conceding just 4.
Blackpool 1-0 Hull City 01/01/22
Blackpool 1-0 Millwall 22/01/22
Blackpool 3-1 Brstol City 05/02/22
Blackpool 1-2 AFC Bournemouth 12/02/22
Blackpool 4-1 Reading 26/02/22
Blackpool latest away form
The Seasiders have recently failed to keep a good run of form, having failed to win in any of their nine most recent away matches. They lost 2-1 to Hartlepool United in the FA Cup on January 8. In their last five matches, they have scored 5 goals and conceded 7.
Hartlepool United 2-1 Blackpool 08/01/22
Fulham 1-1 Blackpool 29/01/22
Coventry City 1-1 Blackpool 08/02/22
Cardiff City 1-1 Blackpool 19/02/22
Queens Park Rangers 2-1 Blackpool 23/02/22
Stoke City news
Morgan Fox will be absent on Saturday as he serves a suspension after picking up a red card against Bournemouth last weekend, with Josh Tymon featuring at left wing-back in his place.
Jacob Brown is expected to start in attack alongside one of Tyrese Campbell, Josh Maja or Nick Powell.
Blackpool news
As he remains the top scorer for his side in the league this season, Shayne Lavery is in line to return to the Blackpool XI, possibly getting the nod over Jerry Yates.
Having no fitness issues, the rest of the team should remain the same, with Critchley’s men having had a spare midweek.
Prediction and Odds
Both teams enter the contest with no threat of relegation, but they may as well throw caution to the wind, and it could be an entertaining match.
Blackpool have scored in each of their last six away matches, something they could repeat here, and we see the game ending level.
Odds: 1 2.20 X 2.05 2 2.35
Probable outcomes
Stoke City 0-0 Blackpool
Stoke City 1-1 Blackpool
Stoke City 2-2 Blackpool
Stoke City 3-3 Blackpool
Stoke City 2-1 Blackpool
