Dreaming of joining the race for promotion in League One, Blackpool are set to host struggling Mansfield Town at Bloomfield Road on Saturday.
The Seasiders could extend their unbeaten streak to 10 matches this weekend, while the Stags have lost seven on the bounce and will be desperate to avoid making it eight.
Match preview
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Steve Bruce's Blackpool are yet to taste defeat in 2025 and are now 11th in the third tier, nine points behind Huddersfield Town in the playoff spots.
Victory this weekend could see the Seasiders leapfrog Barnsley in the table should results elsewhere prove favourable, and a late-season charge into the race for promotion cannot be ruled out.
However, Bruce's side have won just twice during their current undefeated stretch, meaning that they have dropped 14 points since December 29.
In the same vein, Saturday's hosts have lost just two league games at Bloomfield Road since November 2023, though the manager will be concerned that they have not taken three points on their own turf since September 2024.
This weekend, Blackpool will be up against a side in exceptionally poor form, and given that they are unlikely to get a better chance at taking maximum points this season, they will be keen to put in a strong performance.
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Meanwhile, Nigel Clough's Mansfield have lost all but two of their games so far this year, and a dismal run of six consecutive third-tier losses has left them 15th in League One.
The Stags will be particularly disappointed with their current form given that they were just four points from the playoff spots after their 2-1 victory over then-rivals Stockport County on January 4, but are now 12 points adrift.
Last time out, Saturday's visitors were beaten 3-0 on the road by Leyton Orient, a match in which they were unable to muster even a consolation goal to respond to their opponents' three first-half strikes.
Such a lack of attacking output has been a trend for Clough's side lately, and considering that they have netted just four goals from their last seven games across all competitions, the boss may be worried about his team's ability to get back on track this weekend against a side that are particularly hard to beat.
Team News
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Blackpool are likely to be without centre-back Oliver Casey after he was taken off with an injury in the first half against Rotherham United last time out.
In his absence, expect Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel to start alongside Elkan Baggott in defence, with full-backs Odeluga Offiah and James Husband flanking the duo.
As for Mansfield, centre-back Aden Flint has been struggling lately, and the 35-year-old may miss out this weekend after being withdrawn in the first half against Orient.
In his place, Clough should opt for Elliott Hewitt, Jordan Bowery and Alfie Kilgour to make up his back three in front of goalkeeper Christy Pym.
Elsewhere, the Stags are likely to be without Deji Oshilaja, Frazer Blake-Tracy and Rhys Oates once again, though Louis Reed and Matthew Craig could feature in some capacity.
Blackpool possible starting lineup:
Tyrer; Offiah, Lawrence-Gabriel, Baggott, Husband; Hamilton, Morgan, Carey, Silvera; Fletcher, Beesley
Mansfield Town possible starting lineup:
Pym; Bowery, Hewitt, Kilgour; Akins, Boateng, Reed, Lewis, MacDonald; Vickers, Rhodes
We say: Blackpool 1-1 Mansfield Town
Blackpool seem to be simultaneously unbeatable and incapable of earning a win, so expect another stalemate this weekend.
To add to this, Mansfield will be desperate to gain some stability after a horrendous run of results, and a point on the road to the Seasiders would be a good start.
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