Preview: Stockport County vs. Blackpool - prediction, team news, lineups

Stockport County square off against Blackpool on Saturday afternoon searching for a win that will keep them in the hunt for automatic promotion.

While the home side sit in fourth position in the League One table, Blackpool are in 11th spot and just about clinging on to playoff contention.

Match preview

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After their dismal Christmas and New Year period, a playoff spot appeared to be a best-case scenario for Stockport.

However, a seven-match period which brought about six wins and one draw has ensured that Dave Challinor's side remain within close proximity to the top two.

A shock 2-0 reverse at the hands of struggling Cambridge United has the potential to derail those chances, yet Challinor will be confident that their outstanding home form can continue.

A total of 10 wins and three draws have come from their 16 league outings at Edgeley Park, including three successive victories over Crawley Town, Shrewsbury Town and Barnsley.

Despite the positivity at the club, though, Stockport hold just a four-point advantage over seventh position, emphasising the need to get back to winning ways this weekend.

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With Blackpool down in 11th position, the job that Steve Bruce has been doing at Bloomfield Road has largely gone unnoticed.

The Seasiders are currently on an 11-match unbeaten streak, albeit eight of those games ending in draws, but they at least prevailed from their most recent encounter.

Bruce's side defied being reduced to 10 men in the 32nd minute to earn a 3-1 victory over Crawley Town, remarkably representing just the third home win of the campaign.

That said, Blackpool possess the fifth-best away record in the division with 25 points coming from 17 fixtures, as well as putting together a five-match unbeaten streak on their travels.

Team News

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With Callum Connolly serving a suspension, Kyle Knoyle could move into the centre of defence with Macauley Southam-Hales switching to right-back.

That may lead to Micah Hamilton coming into contention for his first start for Stockport since his loan switch from Middlesbrough.

Blackpool have been handed a selection boost after Ashley Fletcher had last weekend's red card against Crawley rescinded.

As a result, Bruce could consider select an unchanged starting lineup unless he chooses to introduce Josh Onomah as a third central midfielder.

Despite being withdrawn against Crawley, CJ Hamilton should retain his spot on the right flank.

Stockport County possible starting lineup: Addai; Southam-Hales, Knoyle, Hills, Touray; Norwood, Bate; Hamilton, Collar, Olaofe; Wootton

Blackpool possible starting lineup: Tyrer; Offiah, Casey, Husband, Coulson; Hamilton, Evans, Morgan, Carey; Ennis, Fletcher

We say: Stockport County 2-1 Blackpool

With Blackpool on a prolonged unbeaten streak in the third tier, they will back themselves to cause an upset at Edgeley Park. However, the home side should have enough quality to get back to winning ways, potentially courtesy of a late goal.

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