Blackpool are set to host Wigan Athletic at Bloomfield Road on Monday evening in a League One clash, with both teams eager to break their recent losing streaks.
The hosts are 16th in the standings with 15 points from 12 games, while the visitors are 18th in the table with 13 points from their opening 12 fixtures.
Match preview
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After earning their promotion from the third tier in 2020-21, Blackpool managed to only survive for two seasons in the Championship before falling to relegation in their second campaign in 2022-23.
They narrowly missed out on an opportunity to compete for an instant promotion back into the Championship as they finished eighth in League One last term, finishing just three points behind sixth-placed Barnsley.
Neil Critchley, who led Blackpool to their 2021 playoff triumph, returned as manager in May 2023 with hopes of securing at least a playoff spot this season after missing out on a top-six finish last year.
However, Critchley was dismissed just two games into the 2024-25 League One season after Blackpool suffered consecutive defeats to newly-promoted sides Crawley Town and Stockport County.
Richard Keogh stepped in as interim manager while the search for a permanent boss continued, picking up two draws and one win from his three games, before Steve Bruce was finally appointed at the beginning of September.
Bruce, returning to management for the first time since October 2022, made an impressive start at Blackpool with five wins from his first six games, but the team's form has sharply declined recently, going winless in four matches, including three straight losses.
Bruce has been absent from the touchline for the most recent two of those defeats, with the manager currently on compassionate leave following the tragic death of his four-month-old grandson, and he is not expected to return for Monday's fixture.
Stand-in boss Steve Agnew, who apologised to the Blackpool faithful following their embarrassing 5-1 loss to Peterborough United, will be hopeful his side can show a fighting spirit and bounce back with a positive result and performance on Monday.
Wigan could provide the perfect opportunity for the Tangerines to halt their current losing streak, with the Latics sitting two points below Blackpool and come into the game having lost their last two matches.
The visitors were relegated from the Championship alongside Blackpool in 2022-23, but they faced a tougher return to League One last term, finishing 12th with 62 points, 14 behind the playoffs and 18 ahead of the drop zone.
Shaun Maloney, who has been in charge since January 2023, has endured an even harder start to this season, with his side currently sitting 18th in the standings with 13 points from 12 outings.
The former Wigan player led the side to just one win in their first six games across all competitions before embarking on an improved run of seven matches without a defeat, though four of those were 0-0 draws.
These results highlight Wigan's early season issues, as despite boasting one of the league's strongest defences with just nine goals conceded, bettered by only two teams, they also have the weakest attack, managing a league low of just 10 goals, with seven of those being scored in two matches.
Maloney's men now come into this one having lost both of their last two outings, 2-0 to Cambridge United and 2-1 to Mansfield Town, and the manager will be desperate to put an end to that run and their struggles in front of goal with a strong performance and result here.
These two sides have shared the spoils from their recent meetings, with Wigan winning two and Blackpool winning two of their last four clashes, suggesting an evenly matched tie as they head into this one.
Team News
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Elkan Baggott, Ollie Norburn and Andy Lyons have all been absent for a number of weeks heading into this game, and the trio are unexpected to return for this one.
James Husband and CJ Hamilton were absent from each of the last two outings for Blackpool, and neither are likely to feature in this one due to injury.
Stand-in boss Agnew is likely to name a number of changes following a miserable 5-1 loss to Peterborough Utd last time out, with Zachary Ashworth, Ryan Finnigan, Ashley Fletcher and Sonny Carey all potentially coming into the starting team.
Luke Chambers, Callum McManaman and Jensen Weir all missed out on Wigan's last match against Mansfield Town, and the trio all remain as doubts for this one.
Jonny Smith returned to the bench, coming on in the 70th minute, after missing the Cambridge Utd defeat due to injury, and he could be in line for a start here.
Blackpool possible starting lineup:
Tyrer; Lawrence-Gabriel, Offiah, Casey, Ashworth; Apter, Finnigan, Carey, Beesley; Joseph, Fletcher
Wigan Athletic possible starting lineup:
Tickle; Carragher, Kerr, Aimson, Smith; Adeeko, Francois; Rankine, Aasgaard, Thomas; Hugill
We say: Blackpool 2-0 Wigan Athletic
Blackpool will be eager to bounce back after their heavy defeat last time out, and with Wigan struggling in front of goal this season, we believe the hosts will take advantage and secure the victory and clean sheet.
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