Oxford United v Blackpool RECAP: Updates from League One play-off semi-final first leg
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Oxford United v Blackpool play-off semi-final LIVE
Key Events
- FT: Oxford 0-3 Blackpool
- Seasiders head to the Kassam for the first leg of their play-off semi-final
- Clash kicks off at the earlier time of 6pm, with around 4,000 fans expected to attend
- Second leg takes place at Bloomfield Road on Friday (7.45pm kick-off)
Team news analysis
Neil Critchley opts to revert to a back four, despite ending the season with four straight wins without conceding a goal playing three at the back.
That sees Jordan Thorniley drop out of the side and James Husband partner Dan Ballard in the centre of defence. Luke Garbutt and Ollie Turton are the full-backs of choice.
With Grant Ward still out injured, Kevin Stewart starts in central midfield alongside Kenny Dougall, while Keshi Anderson and Elliot Embleton are preferred on the flanks in the absence of the injured Sullay Kaikai.
Ellis Simms, meanwhile, partners Jerry Yates in attack after ending the campaign with three goals in his last two games.
Ethan Robson returns from a groin injury to return to the bench, where he’s joined by Gary Madine - who made his long-awaited comeback off the bench during Pool’s final day win against Bristol Rovers.
Daniel Gretarsson, Matty Virtue and CJ Hamilton are out injured and will play no part in Pool’s play-off campaign, while Bez Lubala remains unavailable due to a ‘club matter’.
Oxford, meanwhile, make two changes to the side that thrashed Burton Albion 4-0 on the final day to leapfrog Portsmouth into sixth place.
