Blackpool face their toughest test yet of their end of season run in as they host League One leaders Portsmouth at Bloomfield Road.
The Seasiders are on the quest for a play-off spot but must stop Portsmouth in their tracks. John Mousinho's side are full of confidence as they boast a six-point lead over second-placed Bolton and seven over Derby County in third place, and a return to the Championship looks likely barring a major capitulation from the South Coast outfit.
Blackpool did inflict Portsmouth's first league defeat on them though this season, winning 4-0 at Fratton Park. Former Portsmouth loanee Owen Dale put Blackpool in front before Jake Beesley doubled their lead and then Joe Morrell was red carded. Blackpool made most of the man advantage as CJ Hamilton and Albie Morgan scored in the final quarter of the match.
The hosts could overtake Oxford United should they draw or win and Oxford United drop points to Cheltenham whilst they could go within a point of Stevenage should they lose to Blackpool's Fylde Coast rivals Fleetwood Town. Blackpool have had Portsmouth's number in recent years and have won their last three games against them. The most recent meeting between the two sides at Bloomfield Road and won with a Keshi Anderson effort. Portsmouth's last victory against them came in August 2018.
Portsmouth will be backed by a sold out away end after snapping up all of the tickets when they went on sale in February. More than 2,100 tickets were put on sale and it could suprass the attendance of 12,276 that was recorded when Bolton Wanderers came in to town a fortnight ago.
Jordan Rhodes made a return to action last weekend having recovered from a rib injury that put him out for over a month. Hayden Coulson despite being a doubt netted in the victory against Shrewsbury Town. Here's the latest injury and team news ahead of kick-off.
7. Tom Lowery - out
Missed half of the season with a damaged meniscus. Suffered a hamstring injury in February but is expected to return next weekend. | Getty
8. Ben Stevenson - out
Stevenson suffered knee ligament damage in January and has been out for mroe than a month. He's had limited playing opporunities since joining from Forest Green Rovers. | Jason Brown/ProSportsImages
9. Ben Stevenson and Tom Lowery - out (continued)
John Mousinho said: "Tom Lowery and Ben Stephenson we’ll hope to have back out on the grass post-Peterborough." | Getty
10. Tino Anjorin - out (continued)
Damaged his hamstring against Chesterfield in an FA Cup tie in November. Went back to Chelsea for rehab but could return for the international break. | Jason Brown/ProSportsImages
11. Tino Anjorin - out (continued)
John Mousinho said: "We’ll also hope to have Tino back with us post-Peterborough as well. ‘He’ll train with Chelsea next week and if he ticks all the boxes we’ll have the three of those back. ‘You have Tino coming off the back of a significant injury, so we’ll take it slowly with him. | Jason Brown/ProSportsImages
12. Terry Devlin - out
Damaged his shoulder in February and had to undergo surgery. He's expected to be out for a few months. | Getty Images