Following the postponement of all the weekend fixtures in the Championship, Rotherham United and Blackpool will return to action on Wednesday in a contest at the New York Stadium.
The visitors sit 11th in the table, one point better off than their hosts, thanks to a win over Huddersfield Town in their most recent outing.
Match preview
© Reuters
Expecting to make the short trip to league leaders Sheffield United at the weekend, prior to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II which caused the postponement of all fixtures across the country, Rotherham United found themselves in a positive position following their promotion back to the Championship.
The Millers began the second-tier campaign with a five-game unbeaten run, including 4-0 and 2-0 victories over Reading and Birmingham City respectively, to quickly move onto nine points, but they would then suffer a first defeat away at fellow promoted side Sunderland.
Ross Stewart put the Black Cats in control with a brace early in the second half, and Jack Clarke wrapped up a 3-0 victory for the hosts with 20 minutes to go before Paul Warne's men faced another tough test at home to newly-relegated Watford.
Richard Wood gave the Millers the lead inside the first two minutes of that contest, and while Vakoun Issouf Bayo did draw their visitors level, Rotherham were able to hold on for a very commendable draw, taking their tally to 10 points from seven league outings.
With the ultimate goal of preserving their Championship status this term, Warne's men should have had adequate rest and will look to return to action with another victory to further improve their standing on Wednesday.
© Reuters
Their visitors will make the trip to South Yorkshire hoping for a second consecutive win, having put a third three-point haul of the season on the board before the postponement of their home game against Middlesbrough.
After their first four league games produced two victories and two defeats, the Tangerines would play out consecutive 3-3 draws, coming from behind to snatch points on both occasions, as Shayne Lavery and Jerry Yates levelled the game away at Burnley and Theo Corbeanu hit a 90th-minute equaliser against Bristol City.
They then hosted Blackburn Rovers and would fall just short as Ben Brereton Diaz's goal made the difference for the visitors, leaving Michael Appleton's side on eight points from seven outings before they managed to put another win on the board last time out.
Blackpool travelled to take on Huddersfield Town and would triumph by a goal to nil as Corbeanu found the net in the 38th minute, albeit with plenty of controversy after the hosts had put the ball in the net, only for goal-line technology to not award the equalising goal.
Having risen above Wednesday's opponents and into the top half thanks to that victory, they will now look to continue their climb and make it back-to-back Championship wins for the first time since November.
- W
- D
- D
- W
- L
- D
- D
- D
- L
- W
- L
- D
- L
- W
- D
- D
- L
- W
Team News
© Reuters
While all players have had longer to recuperate, Rotherham United are expected to remain without defenders Grant Hall and Cameron Humphreys alongside Cohen Bramall due to injuries.
After a solid performance against Watford and in the continued absence of Hall and Humphreys, Lee Peltier and Wes Harding should again join captain Richard Wood in a back three.
Dan Barlaser, Ben Wiles and Oliver Rathbone should all keep their places in midfield, while summer signings Tom Eaves and Conor Washington will fight to join Chiedozie Ogbene up front.
Blackpool also continue to deal with a long list of injuries, as Keshi Anderson, Jake Beesley, Charlie Patino, Kevin Stewart and Lewis Fiorini remain sidelined.
Striker Gary Madine is also unavailable for selection, as he continues to serve a three-match ban, while key winger Josh Bowler departed for Nottingham Forest on transfer deadline day, meaning Jerry Yates, who will lead the line against his former club, could again be joined by Theo Corbeanu and Ian Poveda in a front three.
Appleton recently switched to a 3-4-3 setup for the trip to Huddersfield, and he could stick with that after a clean sheet and a win, with Jordan Thorniley, Rhys Williams and Marvin Ekpiteta forming a back three and Callum Connolly joining Kenny Dougall in the engine room.
Rotherham United possible starting lineup:
Johansson; Harding, Wood, Peltier; Norton-Cuffy, Rathbone, Barlaser, Wiles, Bramall; Washington, Ogbene
Blackpool possible starting lineup:
Grimshaw; Williams, Ekpiteta, Thorniley; Lawrence-Gabriel, Connolly, Dougall, Thompson; Corbeanu, Yates, Poveda
We say: Rotherham United 1-1 Blackpool
Both sides have looked positive so far this season, and with the Millers yet to lose on home turf, we see a share of the spoils as the most likely outcome with neither expected to put the other to the sword.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Sam Varley
