Blackpool will face arguably their toughest test of the season to date as they welcome an in-form Derby County to Bloomfield Road on Tuesday. The Rams are unbeaten in 11 in all competitions and haven't conceded a goal since their 2-2 with Cardiff City on the 20th September. Compare that to Blackpool who have only managed to register a single victory all season, albeit in their previous home game against Cardiff.
The Tangerines will be hoping to put Saturday's result behind them. The 4-2 defeat at Huddersfield was their eigth already this season and Blackpool boss Jose Riga will be looking for a reaction from his players: “We know how we did it (against Cardiff), and what we didn't do at Huddersfield, so it's up to us to correct this. It will again be a tough game, there is no easy game for us, but we know how to get a result.”
Steve McClaren's side were 3-1 victors at Bloomfield Road last season and striker Chris Martin has called on the squad to "keep the momentum going" as they find themselves in the automatic promotion places of the SkyBet Championship. Their 3-0 victory over Reading on Saturday ensured that only Watford could prevent them from being top of the pile.
The Rams however will be without goalkeeper Lee Grant and forward Jamie Ward, who, according to Steve McClaren will both be out for around 4-6 weeks with injuries. Grant's absence has prompted Derby to bring in England U-21 international Jack Butland on an emergency loan deal and he looks to debutise.
Tuesday night's fixture could be a very dangerous one for Blackpool and how they approach it will be interesting. Jose Riga has adopted an expansive style of play for Pool which could see them get seriously undone against a County side who many regard as the best attacking side in the division. A win for Derby could lift them to the top of the Championship should local rivals Nottingham Forest do them a favour where as for Blackpool any point will do as they look to find some hope of survival.