Sheffield United square off against Blackpool on Wednesday evening needing all three points to remain in the Championship playoff positions.
While Blackpool are all the way down in 12th place in the standings, a fourth successive win will move them to within three points of their next opponents.
Match preview
© Reuters
On the back of losing 4-1 at Coventry City on Saturday afternoon, Sheffield United supporters were understandably left frustrated at missing an opportunity to strengthen their position in the top six.
However, even with two defeats in four matches, Paul Heckingbottom is yet to suffer successive setbacks since his return in November, putting the capitulation versus the Sky Blues into perspective.
The Blades are also still averaging two points per game under Heckingbottom, but he will acknowledge himself that his team need to take advantage of fixtures against Blackpool and Barnsley.
Sheffield United went from producing arguably their best performance of the season to their worst under his tenure, although the argument will be that thrashing Middlesbrough 4-1 is still very much fresh in the memory.
While Sander Berge has netted in successive games, Sheffield United still need more players to assist the likes of Morgan Gibbs-White and Billy Sharp in the final third.
© Reuters
To a certain degree, the pressure remains off opponents Blackpool, who have already achieved their primary target of avoiding relegation straight back to League One.
However, on the back of three victories in a row, the Seasiders cannot be ruled out of the promotion race, particularly with a direct rival standing in front of them on Wednesday.
Neil Critchley will ensure that they remain with tags of underdogs given the size of the clubs around them, but Blackpool have proven time and time again that they can trouble any side in this division.
Gary Madine netted the only goal of the game as they defeated Swansea City at the weekend, the target man now joint-top goalscorer with eight strikes to his name.
Critchley's team have also got on the scoresheet in 15 successive Championship fixtures, not drawing a blank since defeat at Derby County on December 11.
- L
- D
- L
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
- L
- D
- W
- L
Team News
© Reuters
While Blackpool possess a lengthy injury list, no more issues arose from the weekend, leaving Critchley in line to name an unchanged starting lineup.
CJ Hamilton and Shayne Lavery are most likely to be considered for a recall if fresh legs are brought into the team.
Sheffield United also have multiple players on the sidelines, but Heckingbottom will almost certainly make changes to his first XI.
Iliman Ndiaye will hope to come into the team, most likely replacing Conor Hourihane, while handing a rest to Billy Sharp is also a possibility.
That would see Daniel Jebbison provided with an opportunity after Oliver McBurnie sustained an injury during the Coventry defeat.
Blackpool possible starting lineup:
Grimshaw; Sterling, Connolly, Ekpiteta, Husband, James; Bowler, Dougall, Stewart, Kirk; Madine
Sheffield United possible starting lineup:
Foderingham; Gordon, Egan, Robinson; Osborn, Norwood, Berge, Norrington-Davies; Gibbs-White, Ndiaye; Sharp
We say: Blackpool 1-1 Sheffield United
Despite the difference in league positions, there is an argument that Blackpool are the favourites to prevail from this contest. However, respect should still be given to the visitors, who we feel will do just enough to claim a share of the spoils on the North-West coast.
Top tip
Darren Plant
Data Analysis
Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Sheffield United win with a probability of 36.77%. A win for Blackpool had a probability of 36.65% and a draw had a probability of 26.6%.
The most likely scoreline for a Sheffield United win was 0-1 with a probability of 9.85%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 1-2 (8.13%) and 0-2 (6.33%). The likeliest Blackpool win was 1-0 (9.83%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (12.64%). The actual scoreline of 0-0 was predicted with a 7.7% likelihood. Our team at Sports Mole correctly predicted a draw in this match.
