Blackpool are set to take on Sheffield Wednesday at Bloomfield Road on Tuesday evening in the 2024-25 EFL Cup third round.
The hosts defeated Burton Albion and Blackburn Rovers to progress to this round, while the visitors have triumphed against Hull City and Grimsby Town.
Match preview
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Blackpool suffered a difficult opening to the 2024-25 season as they suffered two defeats in their first three matches across all competitions, although both losses were in League One.
Those defeats led to the dismissal of Neil Critchley, who had been managing at Bloomfield Road since May 2023, with Richard Keogh temporarily stepping in as interim manager.
Since that decision, the Tangerines have shown significant improvement, with Keogh managing two draws and a win, while new permanent boss Steve Bruce has won his first two fixtures in charge.
Following their dramatic 2-1 victory over Exeter City, where Blackpool secured the winning goal in the 94th minute after conceding an equaliser in the 88th, Bruce will be aiming to maintain his strong start as manager.
Tuesday's match will be the first time Blackpool have appeared in the third round of the EFL Cup since 2018-19 when they defeated Queens Park Rangers 2-0 before eventually losing 2-1 to Arsenal in the fourth round.
As for Sheff Weds, they have endured a difficult opening to their second season back in the Championship since earning promotion as League One playoff champions in 2022-23.
Sheff Weds would have been hopeful of a positive campaign after a brilliant 4-0 win against Plymouth Argyle on the opening day of the campaign, but they have since won just two matches in the following six outings across all competitions.
Both of those wins have come in the EFL Cup, defeating Hull City and Grimsby to book their place in the third round, leaving them with a chance to reach the fourth round of the competition for the first time since being knocked out in the quarterfinals by Stoke City in 2015-16.
The visitors have been the more successful team in recent encounters, winning all three of their last matchups across all competitions, although the most recent of these clashes was in 2015.
Team News
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Dominic Ballard is the only doubt for the hosts after the attacking midfielder was forced off in the 56th minute of their late victory over Exeter City last time out, meaning Jordan Rhodes is likely to start.
James Husband has scored three times already this season, including the winning goal in stoppage time against Exeter, and the defender is expected to start alongside Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel, Matthew Pennington and Zachary Ashworth here.
Ben Hamer will remain out for the visitors due to a finger injury that he is not expected to return from until later this month, meaning the keeper is still yet to make his first appearance for the club.
Charlie McNeill has started both EFL Cup games for Sheff Weds, scoring twice in the first round, and the talented young striker is expected to start alongside Ike Ugbo here.
Blackpool possible starting lineup:
O'Donnell; Lawrence-Gabriel, Pennington, Husband, Ashworth; Apter, Evans, Norburn, Hamilton; Rhodes; Beesley
Sheffield Wednesday possible starting lineup:
Charles; Palmer, Ihiekwe, Famewo, Johnson; Paterson, Chalobah, Fusire, Kobacki; McNeill, Ugbo
We say: Blackpool 1-2 Sheffield Wednesday
While the hosts are on a positive run of form heading into this encounter, undefeated in their last five outings, the visitors compete at a higher level and should possess a stronger squad, suggesting Sheff Weds will win this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
