Bottom-of-the-table Blackpool will have a chance to claw some valuable points back to those ahead of them when they face Bolton Wanderers at Bloomfield Road on Saturday.

Things are looking predictably ominous for the Tangerines, who are already 10 points adrift of safety having only amassed seven points from their opening 17 fixtures.

The sacking of Jose Riga and appointment of Lee Clark has not stopped the rot, with Blackpool picking up just one point from the last 21 available and winning only one game all season.

It has been a long and miserable spell for the Seasiders, who have won fewer (four) and lost more (27) games than any other side in the top four tiers of English football this calendar year.

It is tough to see any other scenario than them being relegated in 24th position, while the current makeshift nature of the squad means that it is difficult for Clark to even begin planning for next season in League One.

Off-field matters have not helped either, with a £30,000 fine for fielding an ineligible player the latest piece of bad news for the troubled club.

However, Clark has brought in free agent Chris Eagles this week, and the midfielder is expected to play some part against his former club on Saturday.

Steven Davies could also feature having overcome an injury and played in a friendly on Tuesday, although he may be forced to settle for a start on the bench, while Anthony McMahon remains suspended.

Bolton are one of the teams beginning to run away from Blackpool at the bottom of the table, with Neil Lennon having the sort of impact on the club that the Tangerines would have craved.

The former Celtic boss has won four of his six matches in charge, a run of form that has seen the Trotters climb out of the relegation zone. Indeed, only high-flying Bournemouth have amassed more points in the league since Lennon took over.

Back-to-back wins over Cardiff City and Wigan Athletic before the international break were particularly impressive, although away form is still an issue with seven defeats in eight league matches on the road this season.

However, they will be confident of improving that statistic against a Blackpool side that have been dreadful at home recently, amassing just four points from the last 36 available in front of their own fans.

Darren Pratley is back available for the visitors following suspension, but Lennon could opt to name an unchanged side to the one that cruised to a 3-1 win over Wigan last time out.

Blackpool:

Recent form: LLLLDL

Possible starting lineup: Lewis; Lenihan, Daniels, Clarke, Dunne; Murphy, Lundstram, Perkins, Blackman, Orlandi; Miller

Bolton:

Recent form: WLWLWW

Possible starting lineup: Lonergan; Vela, Mills, Dervite, Ream; Danns, Davies, Feeney, Lee, Clayton; Davies

Sports Mole says: 0-2

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