In what is a game which has serious permutations on the race for the League One play-offs, Blackpool welcome Barnsley to Bloomfield Road on Saturday.
Both sides still retain play-off chances this season with two games to go, a loss for Blackpool would however likely put them out of contention. As a result, it can be expected that the Tangerines will be on the offensive from the off.
Sat in eighth currently, yet just four points off of Oxford United in sixth with a game in hand, Neil Critchley’s side do retain an outside chance of making the post-season, they would however need wins from both of their remaining games in order to give themselves the best possible chance. Given Barnsley sit five points ahead of them in fifth, they are also therefore in touching distance, especially if Blackpool prevail on Saturday.
With three wins on the bounce, all of those being 1-0 victories, fans will be looking forward to this one, especially with the form that their opponents arrive in.
Without a win in their last four games, the Tykes could well fall out of the play-off places if things don’t go their way in the final two games of the season. They need just one win to guarantee their spot in the post-season but based off of recent performances, that may not necessarily happen and they could be relying on other results going their way.
There’s the chance that they can bounce back, and it would be a great time for them to do just that and build some momentum for the play-offs but they’ll know Blackpool will come out fighting.
With that in mind, here’s how two of The Real EFL’s writing team see the clash panning out…
“Having looked like potential automatic promotion chasers as recently a month ago, Barnsley now find themselves in a battle to keep their play-off spot. Their current form is severely underwhelming and they may be there for the taking on Saturday.
“Blackpool know that they need to leave everything out there as anything but a win could well end their season. It’ll probably go down as a disappointing season if that is the case, but there is still a faint hope. Recent performances have been encouraging but Neil Critchley’s side may have left it too late.
“Given the Tykes’ current form though, I actually see Blackpool prevailing in this one which could well lead to a nervy final day of the season for both sides.”
Blackpool 2-0 Barnsley
“This is such a tough call. Both teams know that a win is crucial. For the Tykes, defeat is unthinkable, as it could leave them in serious danger of dropping out of the top six. Blackpool know anything less than three points means another season in League One.
“I don’t fancy either side to win it. Barnsley can score goals, but they’ve got a soft underbelly as they showed at Portsmouth. Blackpool don’t feature in many goal-laded games, winning 1-0 is as good as it gets.
“I think it could be very nervy indeed, and I can see it being a tense draw, possibly 1-1. That result won’t really help either side, certainly not if Lincoln and Oxford pick up three points.
Blackpool 1-1 Barnsley
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