Blackpool will be looking to continue their strong form and close the gap on the play-off places as they host Crewe Alexandra at Bloomfield Road.

Neil Critchley’s men have won five of their last six games including an impressive 3-0 at Charlton Athletic on Saturday, and are unbeaten at Bloomfield Road since October. The Seasiders sit in 13th place, six points off the play-off places with  numerous games in hand on the teams above them.

Visitors Crewe Alexandra sit two places ahead of Blackpool in 11th but have played four more games than the Seasiders. David Artell’s side have been in inconsistent form of late, recording impressive victories over the likes of Accrington Stanley & Shrewsbury Town but also having lost to Swindon Town & Peterborough United in recent weeks. 

  • Team news 

Blackpool are hoping to welcome back defender James Husband into the side. The defender was withdrawn from Saturday’s starting eleven after feeling his calf in the warm up but is likely to be involved after a scan returned positive results. CJ Hamilton and Gary Madine are also edging closer to a return from their respective injuries but tomorrow’s match may come too soon for both players. Long term absentees Marvin Ekpiteta, Dan Gretarsson and Keshi Anderson remain sidelined. 

Visitors Crewe will still be without top goal scorer Oli Finney who picked up a leg fracture last month against Shrewsbury Town. Callum Ainley meanwhile is back in training after a lengthy spell on the sidelines but tomorrow’s match is likely to come too soon for the midfielder. 

  • Predicted lineups 

Blackpool (442): Maxwell, Gabriel, Ballard, Thorniley, Garbutt; Virtue, Dougall, Stewart, Kaikai; Yates, Simms.

Crewe (442): Richards; Daniels, Wood, Beckles, Pickering; Lowery, Murphy, Wintle, Kirk; Mandron, Porter.

  • Ones to watch

Blackpool - Ellis Simms 

In the absence of striker Gary Madine, on-loan Ellis Simms has stepped in and proved a useful partner to Jerry Yates in the Blackpool attack. With two goals to his name already and a man of the match performance at Charlton on Saturday, the young striker will be hoping to build on his impressive form and grab his first goal at Bloomfield Road

Crewe - Charlie Kirk

Winger Charlie Kirk is one of Crewe’s most dangerous attacking players, with the 23-year-old recording five goals and four assists in League One this season. Named in last seasons PFA Team of the Season after recording the most assists in League Two, Kirk will no doubt prove a threat to Blackpool’s solid defence. 

  • Previous meetings

The two sides last met in October in a 1-1 draw, as a Grant Ward equaliser earned Blackpool a point at The Alexandra Stadium after Mikael Mandron had given the hosts the lead. 

The last meeting between Blackpool & Crewe at Bloomfield Road came in February 2017 as now-Blackpool man Ollie Turton netted a late equaliser to earn Crewe a 2-2 draw. 

  • Where to watch on TV

The match will be available to watch on iFollow. Match passes for the game are available, priced at £10. Kick off 7pm at Bloomfield Road

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