Blackpool and Wigan Athletic square off at Bloomfield Road on Saturday afternoon aware that the loser will find themselves on the brink of relegation from the Championship.

With five matches remaining, the two clubs currently sit seven and eight points respectively adrift of safety, with 21st-placed Cardiff City also possessing a game in hand.

Match preview

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Shaun Maloney initially instigated an upturn in results for Wigan, giving the Latics hopes of survival, and a recent five-point haul from three games generated some much-needed momentum.

However, defeats to Sheffield United and Swansea City have left Wigan potentially needing to win at least four of their five remaining matches to stay in the second tier.

Goals continue to be an issue for this team, not netting from open play for nearly seven halves of football, and even an improved defensive effort will not save them unless they start getting on the scoresheet with more regularity.

While Wigan end the campaign with matches versus direct rivals Reading and Rotherham United, they must first post a substantial return against the Seasiders, Stoke City and Millwall.

That said, Wigan have a marginally better away record than they do at the DW Stadium, even if they have not prevailed on their travels since the start of October.

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On the back of three defeats in a row, Blackpool made the decision to part ways with Mick McCarthy in a desperate attempt to salvage their season.

Stephen Dobbie has since been promoted to interim head coach, starting his temporary reign with a 3-1 defeat at third-placed Luton Town after taking an early lead at Kenilworth Road.

Nevertheless, Blackpool still managed to concede at least three goals in a match for the fourth game running, the Tangerines now having the worst defensive record in the division by three goals.

Despite their two recent defeats at Bloomfield Road, Blackpool fared well during home fixtures before McCarthy's exit, going seven matches unbeaten in all competitions before succumbing to Coventry City on March 18.

Team News

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Dobbie could select the same Blackpool XI which started the fixture at Luton having revealed that the squad will largely stay the same.

While Jerry Yates may return to the group after a hamstring injury, he is unlikely to be considered for a role in the team.

This match will also come too soon for Shayne Lavery, who alongside Yates is the closest to returning to contention from a lengthy injury list.

Despite the defeat to Swansea, Maloney was pleased with large aspects of Wigan's performances, something which will likely lead to minimal changes.

Needing all three points, Thelo Aasgaard may be drafted into the midfield as a creative option, while Josh Magennis could replace Ashley Fletcher down the centre of the attack.

Blackpool possible starting lineup:
Maxwell; Lyons, Nelson, Thorniley, Husband; Carey, Fiorini, Anderson; Bowler, Rogers, Hamilton

Wigan Athletic possible starting lineup:
Amos; Hughes, Whatmough, Nyambe; Darikwa, Power, Tiehi, McClean; Aasgaard, Lang; Magennis

We say: Blackpool 1-1 Wigan Athletic

While both clubs desperately require three points, that is not to say that either side will go gung-ho for victory. Instead, we may get a nervy match between two sides lacking confidence, one which may lead to an unwanted share of the spoils.

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