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Blackpool
Championship
Aug 16, 2014 at 3pm UK
 
Blackburn logo

1-2

Cywka (53')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Gestede (26', 47')

Preview: Blackpool vs. Blackburn Rovers

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship clash between Blackpool and Blackburn at Bloomfield Road.

Things continue to go from bad to worse for Blackpool, who have lost both of their matches so far this season and are still looking to bring in enough players to complete their squad.

The Tangerines were only able to name four subs for last weekend's opening match of the season as they fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Nottingham Forest.

The squad remains a motley crew of players mostly unfamiliar with each other, and further additions are still to come after manager Jose Riga revealed that he was hoping to sign 10 more players before the end of the transfer window.

It is a necessary step for the Belgian boss to take considering the club's threadbare squad, but with such a major overhaul of players it is unlikely that they will gel anytime soon.

Riga admitted that he was happy with his team despite the defeat to Forest, and that speaks volumes about the huge task the Seasiders face in staying up this season.

The Championship remains the club's only focus after they were unceremoniously dumped out of the League Cup by League Two side Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday.

Once again after that defeat, Riga acknowledged that his side were deservedly beaten, and he will be looking for an improved performance at the very least this weekend.

Blackburn Rovers, meanwhile, got their season off to a decent start with a 1-1 draw against promotion candidates Cardiff City last Friday.

Having floated around the playoff challengers last season, Gary Bowyer will be eager to see his side push on and put in a more concerted effort for a top-six finish this time around.

Early signs indicate that Blackpool could be the easiest three points in the league on paper, so anything less than a victory this weekend would be something of a disappointment for the visitors.

However, they may not be full of confidence going into the game having also suffered a shock exit from the League Cup on Tuesday, losing 1-0 at home to Scunthorpe United.

Bowyer has made no secret of his desire to bring in a couple of new faces before the end of the transfer window, but he could have Matt Kilgallon back available, with the defender due to undergo a late fitness test following his injury against Cardiff.

Recent form

Blackpool: DWLLLL

Blackburn: DDDDDL

Possible starting lineups

Blackpool: Lewis; McMahon, Daniels, Clarke, Perkins; Mellis, Lundstram, Cywka, Zenjov, Orlandi; Delfouneso

Blackburn: Robinson; Baptiste, Hanley, Kilgallon, Olsson; Cairney, Lowe, Evans, Conway; Rhodes, Gestede

Sports Mole says: 0-2


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Gary Bowyer, the manager of Blackburn Rovers, looks on at Ewood Park on September 21, 2013
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