A match that sadly has become a dead rubber as home side Blackpool cannot make the playoffs, and visitors had their relegation from League One confirmed in midweek without kicking a ball. So, with pride, and maybe future player contracts to play, this could still be a game worth keeping an eye on.
League One
Our Three Predictions For Blackpool v Bristol Rovers
- Prediction 1 – Blackpool To Win – 57/100
- Prediction 2 – Over 2.5 Goals Scored – 33/50
- Prediction 3 – Both Teams To Score – Yes – 61/100
First Prediction For Blackpool v Bristol Rovers – Blackpool To Win – 57/100
With little to play for now this could actually make for quite an open and entertaining game. Blackpool as expected lost in midweek to runaway League One champions Birmingham City, so have this last game to round off what has been a decent second half of the season with a win. At home they have have only won six times, so their fans have been starved of any real success, the 11 draws helped push them up the table though, and they are stubborn on home soil with just five defeats. Bristol Rovers will be playing League Two football next season, their fate sealed this past week without actually playing. Their away form is the likely reason they have failed this season, with only three wins, and the same number of draws when on the road. Coming into this last away day they have the worst away record in the division. With both sides fates sealed already, expect some free flowing football and further woes for the travelling fans.
Second Prediction For Blackpool v Bristol Rovers – Over 2.5 Goals Scored – 33/50
With both sides having mediocre records in their respective home and away play, you could urge on the side of caution. Also though they can play with some freedom with next season already on their minds. Blackpool have kept things tight at home and their goals tally backs that up. They have scored 31 goals and conceded 28, and before their goalless defeat to Birmingham this past week they scored 9 in their previous five, so the goals do flow. Against a woeful Rovers side on the road, The Tangerines could well find the net with ease. Conceding eight in their last four away trips, taking their season total on the road to 39. They do have trouble scoring away, so the heavy lifting in this bet would come from Blackpool.
Third Prediction For Blackpool v Bristol Rovers – Both Teams To Score – Yes – 61/100
Don’t let the fact that Rovers have only scored 12 times away from home all season put you off as their most recent trip on the road saw them grab a goal, and a point, at promoted Wrexham. Yes that did follow a run of four games away without scoring, so why would they be able to score now? The weight of fighting relegation has now been lifted, and even though they will be feeling sorry for themselves, they can perhaps play with the shackles off. Blackpool will want to see the season out well, and give their supporters something to ponder over the summer. At home they have only scored 31 times, but overall an impressive 68, which is the best total of any side not automatically promoted or involved in the League One playoffs.
Best Odds For Blackpool v Bristol Rovers
| Bookmaker | Blackpool Win | Draw | Bristol Win |
| MyriadPlay | 57/100 | 14/5 | 18/5 |
| GentlemanJim | 8/13 | 3/1 | 7/2 |
| Betarno | 29/50 | 277/100 | 7/2 |
Full Preview Of The Game: Last Results And Head To Head
Steve Bruce will be fairly happy with his Blackpool team as they finish soundly in the top half of the table. They did threaten to break into the playoff party at one stage, but some inconstancies crept in the latter stages. Still they have made their mark and will go into the summer knowing they can build on what they have. To end the season they will be aiming to finish strong, and have a good chance of a comprehensive display. Ashley Fletcher and Niall Ennis have 17 goals between them and both will want to get on the scoresheet in the season finale. Albie Morgan has had a solid season, and his attacking play has given him four goals and nine assists, so could well be the difference in this game. Defensively they will be looking to Oliver Casey, the 24 year old has a team high 42 appearances, and truly been the standout player. They should get the win in this game, and head into the summer positively.
Bristol Rovers are facing the prospect of having to do it all again as they will be playing League Two football next season. They did seem they would be able to escape the drop, but recent form saw them slide down, and they could not gain enough momentum to survive. Inigo Calderon will hope his side can upset the odds, and with a bit of freedom now they could well do that. They will of course have to forget they have the worst away record in League One to do so. Cypriot striker Ruel Sotitiou leads all scorer for Rovers with six, a number that shows why they have been relegates, as even though the total number of goal scorers for the club is 18, having the leader on six is not enough to stay up. It is also a statement of their fate that perhaps their best player all season is a defender. 23 year old Connor Taylor has been one of the first names on the team sheet when fit, but he alone could not help keep Rovers up. This could be another long day, and a 17th loss on the road.
Confrontation |
Where To Watch Blackpool v Bristol Rovers
- Location: Bloomfield Road, Blackpool, Lancashire
- Date And Time: May 3, 3pm
- TV Channel: This match will be televised live on Sky Sports+
Probable Lineups For Blackpool v Bristol Rovers
Probable Lineup For Blackpool
Team: Tyrer; Husband, Baggott, Casey, Offiah; Hamilton, Morgan, Evans, Apter; Fletcher, Ennis
Manager: Steve Bruce
Probable Lineup For Bristol Rovers
Team: Ward; Swinkels, Taylor, Wilson; Mola, Sawyers, Butcher, Hunt; Shaw; Sotiriou, O’Donkor
Manager: Inigo Calderon
Media Centre: News About Blackpool v Bristol Rovers
