Blackpool meet Millwall at Bloomfield Road in a decisive clash at opposite ends of Sky Bet Championship table.
Victory would see Blackpool leapfrog Reading into 22nd position but remain in the relegation zone on goal difference – unless they can win by a six-goal margin or more.
Millwall meanwhile can go fifth with a win before their play-off rivals play on Saturday.
Team News
Ian Poveda is ruled out for Blackpool after he worsened a recent hamstring injury during their win at Birmingham City last weekend, and will miss the Tangerines’ final two matches of the season.
Jordan Thorniley (groin), Keshi Anderson, Jerry Yates (both fitness) and Shayne Lavery (hamstring) face late fitness tests.
Marvin Ekpiteta (hamstring) is unlikely to be risked as he continues to rebuild his match fitness.
Charlie Goode (hamstring), Liam Bridcutt (leg), Kevin Stewart (foot) and Gary Madine (ACL) remain absent.
Millwall could be without George Saville after the midfielder suffered a broken nose during their defeat at Wigan last weekend.
Ryan Leonard (groin) is doubtful but Murray Wallace (muscle), Charlie Cresswell (eye) and Aidome Emakhu (hamstring) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Blackpool host Millwall in a 8pm BST kick-off at Bloomfield Road on Friday 28 April, live on Sky Sports in UK.
Stat Attack
- Blackpool have claimed just four points from their last five meetings against Millwall (W1, D1, L3).
- Millwall have claimed just one point from their last five league visits to Blackpool (D1, L5).
- Blackpool have won three of their last four home clashes against Millwall by 1-0 result, except for 1-1 draw in October 2015 in League One.
- Jerry Yates has scored in three of his last four appearaces at home for Blackpool, only failing to do so in their last home outing in a 2-0 loss to West Brom.
- Millwall have claimed just five points from their last seven matches (W1, D2, L4).
Prediction
With just one match left of the season after this game, Blackpool know that only victory will prolong their survival ambitions because a draw or defeat would see them down if Huddersfield and Reading both win elsewhere in the next week.
Stephen Dobbie’s Tangerines though will be buoyant by how well they defended at Birmingham City despite wasteful end product prior to a lucky winner, because they really could do with a similar performance at home if they’re to put pressure on their relegation rivals.
Millwall meanwhile need to end their recent slump if want to move back into a play-off spot because their defence was slow and reactive in their defeat at Wigan, despite showing their attacking quality minus end product which needs to be much tidier if they want a result.
Bloomfield Road however hasn’t been a strong away ground for the Lions in recent seasons so the first goal will be key, but I do fancy Millwall’s quality to win out if Blackpool can’t recover Thorniley, Anderson, Yates and Lavery for this crucial game.
Prediction: Blackpool 0-1 Millwall
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