League Cup Preview – Blackpool

The revamped League Cup is the next fixture on the calendar as Palace welcome Blackpool to Selhurst Park.

After starting the Premier League season with two defeats, the cup will likely provide a welcome distraction and a chance for the Eagles to find some kind of form even if Alan Pardew opts for a mixture of first team, fringe and youth players.

The Tangerines visit Selhurst for the first time in almost four years and it has been a quite tumultuous period for the club as they now find themselves in League Two. The fall through the divisions has been as dramatic as their rise all the way up to the Premier League.

Much has been made of the power struggle at Bloomfield Road with much of the fan base wanting the current owners to quit, holding them firmly responsible for the demise of the coastal club. This has had an effect on attendances with many fans staying away in protest until the ownership of the club changes hands.

TEAM NEWS

Being a cup game it is difficult to know how both managers will be thinking ahead of the tie. Pardew will likely use it to get the likes of Yohan Cabaye, James McArthur and Steve Mandanda match fit along with a few fringe and youth players. Christian Benteke could see some game time following his move from Liverpool. While the number one priority for Blackpool this season will be promotion from League Two, boss Gary Bowyer may opt to bring his strongest side to Selhurst Park. However, the Tangerines will be without Danny Philliskirk, Jamille Matt, Jack Redshaw and Kyle Vassell.

ACTION REPLAY

The last time the two sides met was on April Fools Day in 2013 where Blackpool ran out 1-0 winners at Bloomfield Road courtesy of a goal from Matt Phillips. The hosts were reduced to ten men just before the break as midfielder Barry Ferguson was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence.

FORM GUIDE

Last FIVE games between the two sides;

  • 01/04/2013 – Blackpool 1-0 Crystal Palace
  • 08/12/2012 – Crystal Palace 2-2 Blackpool
  • 21/01/2012 – Blackpool 2-1 Crystal Palace
  • 27/08/2011 – Crystal Palace 1-1 Blackpool
  • 20/03/2010 – Blackpool 2-2 Crystal Palace

Last FIVE results for Palace;

  • 20/08/2016 – Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Crystal Palace
  • 13/08/2016 – Crystal Palace 0-1 West Bromwich Albion
  • 21/05/2016 – Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester United
  • 15/05/2016 – Southampton 4-1 Crystal Palace
  • 07/05/2016 – Crystal Palace 2-1 Stoke City

Last FIVE results for Blackpool;

  • 20/08/2016 – Blackpool 0-0 Wycombe Wanderers
  • 16/08/2016 – Barnet 1-1 Blackpool
  • 13/08/2016 – Morecambe 2-1 Blackpool
  • 09/08/2016 – Blackpool 4-2 Bolton Wanderers
  • 06/08/2016 – Blackpool 2-0 Exeter City

ONE TO WATCH

Brad Potts

The twenty-two year old has continued to impress making forty-five appearances and scoring six goals for the club last season. Born in Hexham, the midfielder joined Blackpool from Carlisle United where he made over a century of appearances after breaking through the academy at Brunton Park. He joined the Tangerines on a free transfer after his contract expired in 2015 and has one England under 19 cap to his name. It is believed that Scunthorpe United are interested in signing Potts.

PREDICTION

Everything points to a win for the hosts but Blackpool should not be underestimated having knocked out Bolton Wanderers in the first round.  With the personnel at the Pardew’s disposal, Palace should have more than enough to get themselves into the third round draw but will want to make sure they are not the victims of a giant killing act.

BETTING ODDS (courtesy of Paddy Power)

  • Home – 6/5
  • Draw – 9/4
  • Away – 21/10
  • Both teams to score – 5/6

Find out what the Tangerine Knights told TEB this week about the struggles at Bloomfield Road in The Blackpool View.

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