Blackpool welcome play-off chasing Sunderland to Bloomfield Road in a huge New Year’s Day encounter in Sky Bet Championship.
Victory would lift Blackpool out of the relegation zone if at least one of if not both of Huddersfield and Rotherham lose elsewhere.
Sunderland meanwhile could go third with a win if Blackburn fail to beat Cardiff in the lunchtime kick-off.
Team News
Blackpool have no fresh injury concerns to report after their midweek defeat against Sheffield United, as Jordan Thorniley returns from suspension.
Sunderland will be without Ellis Simms after Everton opted to recall the 21 year-old striker from his loan spell with immediate effect.
Danny Batth, (calf), Aji Ajlese (ankle), Lynden Gooch (hamstring) and Dennis Cirkin are doubts and could face late fitness tests.
Elliot Embleton (ankle) remains absent.
Stat Attack
- Blackpool are unbeaten in their last five league meetings against Sunderland (W2, D3).
- Sunderland are unbeaten in four of their last five league visits to Blackpool (W3, D1, L1).
- Blackpool lost their only previous New Year’s Day clash against Sunderland which came in a 1-0 defeat at Bloomfield Road in 2019.
- Michael Appleton’s Tangerines haven’t picked up a booking in any of their last two home matches.
- Ross Stewart has scored in each of Sunderland’s last three league games (W2, D1).
Prediction
Sloppy defensive errors summed up Blackpool’s defeat to Sheffield Utd in an otherwise solid performance so I do expect them to come out and try to play with better organised defending, although they did leave any chance of a comeback too late last time out as they fought back from 2-0 down.
Sunderland meanwhile were absolutely clinical in their win at Wigan with plenty of fantastic attacking intensity and movement, which the Latics struggled to cope with during the second half and were duly punished after a decent first-half effort.
Simms’ departure though will leave a void up front for the Black Cats but Stewart, Jack Clarke and Amad Diallo should have enough quality, in order to cover any immediate danger whilst Sunderland seek a new striker in coming days.
Prediction: Blackpool 1-2 Sunderland
Result: Blackpool 1-1 Sunderland
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