Blackpool play host to Liverpool Under-21s in the EFL Trophy on Wednesday evening with the opportunity to secure their place in the knockout stages.
Meanwhile, the visitors to Bloomfield Road are aware that only three points will do if they want to remain in the hunt to reach the same phase of the competition.
Match preview
© Imago
Steve Bruce may have endured a mixed run of results on the pitch since his appointment as Blackpool boss, but there is still a sense that the club are heading in the right direction.
Aside from losing three games in succession against Mansfield Town, Barnsley and Peterborough United, the Seasiders have generally performed well in different competitions.
That is despite their winless league run now standing at five matches, yet their most recent draw at home to Wigan Athletic saw Bruce's side recover from two goals down to earn a dramatic share of the spoils through two own goals.
With that bit of momentum, Blackpool got back to winning ways in the FA Cup first round at the weekend as they recorded a 2-0 triumph away at Gillingham.
Their one and only game in this season's EFL Trophy came all the way back on September 3 when they posted a 4-1 win over Crewe Alexandra.
As a result, Blackpool know that they will qualify for the next round if they win one of their final two group games, with the other coming at Harrogate Town next week.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have accumulated just the one point from their two games, and that is a consequence of a 1-1 draw at Harrogate before a penalty-shootout defeat.
Sitting at the bottom of the group with a -4 goal difference, Barry Lewtas and his players know that they are considerable underdogs to extend their stay in this tournament.
On a positive note, Liverpool Under-21s got back to winning ways last time out, recording a dominant 4-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers in Premier League 2.
They now sit in fourth position in that division, just three points adrift of leaders Manchester City.
Team News
Although Bruce tinkered with his Blackpool side for the Gillingham FA Cup tie, more changes are expected here.
Dominic Thompson, Josh Onomah, Jordan Rhodes and Jake Beesley could all be recalled to the starting lineup.
Goalkeeper Harry Tyrer should also be in line for an appearance between the sticks.
Liverpool could line up with a similar side that featured against Wolves on November 2, with Ranel Young the star of that game with two goals in attack.
Josh Davidson is an alternative to Isaac Mabaya at right-back, while highly-rated 17-year-old Trey Nyoni, who has two first-team appearances to his name, should feature in a creative role.
Blackpool possible starting lineup:
Tyrer; Offiah, Lawrence-Gabriel, Pennington, Thompson; Finnigan, Evans, Onomah, Embleton; Beesley, Rhodes
Liverpool Under-21s possible starting lineup:
Misciur; Mabaya, Nallo, Jonas, Norris; Hill, Corness; Morrison, Nyoni, Pilling; Young
We say: Blackpool 3-1 Liverpool Under-21s
While Liverpool will be banking on their youngsters to step up on the North West coast, we can only see one winner here. Blackpool can afford to throw caution to the wind with another game still remaining, and that is something that could work in their favour.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
