Blackpool welcome West Bromwich Albion to Bloomfield Road in a huge FA Cup clash as both teams fight for a spot in the Fourth Round.
Blackpool look to advance beyond this stage for the first time since 2016-17 season, whereas Sam Allardyce’s Baggies look to book their Fourth Round spot for the sixth time in seven seasons.
Team News
CJ Hamilton is ruled out for Blackpool with a hamstring injury.
Two unnamed players are also absent after testing positive for Coronavirus, whilst Daniel Gretarsson (unspecified) is a doubt.
West Brom welcome Jake Livermore back after serving an one match ban in their defeat against Arsenal last weekend.
Karlan Grant (foot) joins Hal Robson-Kanu (wrist) and Conor Townsend (knee) on sidelines, although there is a small chance that the latter two players could be deemed fit enough for the bench.
Stat Attack
- Blackpool have won just one of eight previous FA Cup meetings against West Brom (W1, D3, L4).
- West Brom are unbeaten in three of their last four FA Cup trips to Blackpool (W1, D2, L1), with both draws at Bloomfield Road finishing goalless.
- Neil Critchley’s Seasiders have won just one of their last five FA Cup matches against higher league opposition from Third Round stage onwards (W1, D1, L3).
Prediction
Blackpool are definitely in for a difficult test after losing their last two games, albeit by narrow margins but West Brom have shifted nine goals in same period and have worryingly lost Karlan Grant at a time when they’re struggling for goals.
One positive for the Baggies though is that they have scored in their last three away matches so will certainly fancy their chances here given their strong record in this FA Cup fixture.
I however can see a draw coming here because neither team are capable of keeping a clean sheet so am going for an away win on penalties.
Prediction: Blackpool 1-1 WBA (West Brom win on penalties)
Result: Blackpool 2-2 WBA (Blackpool win 3-2 on penalties)
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