In a match that could affect the race for promotion in League One, Blackpool are set to host in-form Charlton Athletic at Bloomfield Road this Saturday.
The Seasiders have won back-to-back games ahead of this weekend's clash, while the Addicks have won three in a row.
Match preview
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Steve Bruce's Blackpool are yet to taste defeat in 2025, and are currently on an unbeaten streak of six matches having last lost to Wrexham on Boxing Day.
Most recently, the Seasiders beat Lincoln City 2-0 on the road thanks to goals from Ashley Fletcher and Olly Casey either side of half time, and a solid defence that managed to keep a clean sheet despite facing 17 shots.
That win took Blackpool to 13th in League One with 37 points - five places and six points behind Charlton - and a win this weekend would go a long way towards catching up to Leyton Orient in the playoff spots.
That being said, Saturday's hosts have not won a home game in the league since September, though they did at least avoid defeat in six of their last seven.
It is also notable that Bruce's side have recorded more draws than any other club in the division, and it would be fair to say that their season has been limited by their 10 ties this term.
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Meanwhile, Nathan Jones' Charlton may have had to wait until their fourth game of the year for their first win of 2025, but they have since followed up with three wins on the bounce.
The Addicks are now eighth in the table with 43 points from their 27 matches so far, but they are just one point outside of the playoff spots.
Impressively, Charlton have lost just one of their last 10 league games, winning six and keeping a clean sheet in three draws during a stretch that goes back to early December.
Last time out on the road, the visitors came from behind to beat promotion rivals Bolton Wanderers 2-1 on January 21, and that result means that they have lost just one of their five most recent away league matches, winning three and drawing one.
However, Jones' side lost Saturday's reverse fixture 2-1 back in September, and they will need to pick up all three points this time around if they are to keep up the pressure in the race for promotion.
Team News
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Blackpool midfielder Lee Evans has missed the last two games after injuring his calf in training, but he could make the squad this weekend.
If he is available, he is likely to start on the bench while Albie Morgan and Sonny Carey patrol the middle of the park once again.
Elsewhere, centre-back Matthew Pennington will be absent as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury that he picked up against Huddersfield Town earlier this month, so expect Elkan Baggott to feature at the heart of defence alongside Oliver Casey.
As for Charlton, left-back Josh Edwards was withdrawn with an injury late on against Bristol Rovers on Tuesday.
If he is unavailable, Rarmani Edmonds-Green could get the nod to start next to Macaulay Gillesphey, Lloyd Jones and Kayne Ramsay in the backline.
Blackpool possible starting lineup:
Tyrer; Offiah, Casey, Baggott, Husband; Apter, Morgan, Carey, Hamilton; Bloxham, Fletcher
Charlton Athletic possible starting lineup:
Brewer; Ramsay, Jones, Gillesphey, Edmonds-Green; Coventry, Docherty; Small, Berry, Campbell; Godden
We say: Blackpool 1-2 Charlton Athletic
Both sides are in good form ahead of this weekend's clash, and will be fighting to avoid defeat at the very least as they search for a spot in the playoffs this season.
However, Charlton's strong away record is difficult to ignore, and the character they showed to come from behind in such a crucial game against Bolton could help them to pick up another three points on Saturday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
