Derby County head into their Championship fixture with Blackpool aware that they need to record three points against their relegated opponents to guarantee a place in the top six heading into their remaining three games.
Blackpool are without a win since January 31, but despite a dismal campaign, they have showed signs of improvement in their last four outings and will play without fear in their visit to the iPro Stadium.
Derby County
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During two stages of this season, Derby County have put together a string of results that appeared to make them certainties for a playoff spot at the end of the campaign, but their recent form is threatening to undo all of their hard work.
The Rams have recorded just one victory in their last nine games, and although they have improved in recent weeks, boss Steve McClaren will still have concerns heading into the club's remaining fixtures.
Just one clean sheet - away to Wigan Athletic - has been recorded during that period, and although the defence isn't leaking goals, there is a feeling that mistakes could be made should they be placed under pressure.
McClaren won't be too pleased with an attack which, on paper, is one of the strongest in the division. They've had their problems with injuries to Chris Martin and Darren Bent, but with the quality that they possess on the flanks, a return of eight goals since February 28 isn't enough.
On a positive note though, the East Midlands outfit are unbeaten in three games, with the club buoyed by their last-minute equaliser against Brentford on Saturday afternoon.
It was a point that they barely deserved, but the result kept their noses ahead of the chasing pack and victory on Tuesday night would take them closer to securing fifth place.
Recent form: DLLDWD
Blackpool
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Even before a ball was kicked this season, Blackpool were considered near certainties to be relegated and their drop to League One was eventually confirmed earlier this month after a run of 12 games without a win.
That spell has since been extended to 14 games, but despite their demise, the Seasiders are fighting to end the campaign on a high as they prepare for life in the third tier of English football.
Over the past four games, Lee Clark's men have showed plenty of life, with draws being recorded against Leeds United, Bolton Wanderers and Reading respectively before they made the trip to Portman Road to face Ipswich Town on Saturday.
The home eventually prevailed by a 3-2 scoreline, but Clark witnessed his team take a shock lead before fighting back to 2-2 in the second half. They succumbed to a late effort from Christophe Berra, but the performance suggested that they will take confidence into the game at the iPro Stadium.
However, Blackpool are yet to record a win on the road all season, with just seven points coming from 21 matches, and although that will be a record that they will want to improve against Derby or Cardiff City, they will be aware of the challenge that awaits them in either fixture.
Recent form: LLDDDL
Team News
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Derby defender Ryan Shotton has recovered from concussion in time to be under consideration for selection for Tuesday's game.
Teammate Cyrus Christie also returns to the fold after missing the Brentford game with tonsillitis, but midfielder Will Hughes sits out the second of his two-match suspension.
Blackpool could be without the services of defender Darren O'Dea, who was substituted during the first-half of Saturday's game at Ipswich.
Clark must also decide whether to select 17-year-old Henry Cameron after he netted his first professional goal at Portman Road.
Miles Addison may be handed a place in the squad after missing three weeks with a knee problem.
Derby County possible starting lineup:
Grant, Shotton, Keogh, Albentosa, Warnock, Hendrick, Russell, Bryson, Ince, Martin, Bent
Blackpool possible starting lineup:
Parish, Maher, Clarke, Ferguson, Dunne, Cubero Loria, Perkins, O'Hara, Cameron, Madine, Orlandi
Head To Head
Despite their contrasting fortunes this season, the head-to-head record between the two clubs is relatively close, with Derby winning 16 of the previous 38 matches compared to 13 from Blackpool.
However, the Rams have dominated this fixture in recent years, securing victory on six out of seven occasions as well as their last three at home.
Back in October, the reverse fixture at Bloomfield Road was fiercely contested, but the visitors earned a 1-0 triumph thanks to a late spot kick from Martin.
We say: Derby County 3-1 Blackpool
Blackpool showed enough against Ipswich at the weekend to suggest that they have every intention of fighting for points until the end of the season, but it will take a big performance to deny a Rams side who are almost back to full strength for the final stages of the Championship run-in.
Darren Plant
