PREVIEW: Big incentives for Blackpool and Posh at Bloomfield Road, form guide, players to watch, past battles, big match odds, ex-Premier League referee

Marcus Maddison celebrates his matchwinning goal for Posh at Blackpool in April, 2019. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.

A win for Pool would take them into a play-off place for the first time this season. A win for Posh would enable them to draw level with leaders Hull City and they’d still have a game in hand. Posh would need to win by nine goals to go top!

Some Blackpool bits and bobs...

CURRENT FORM

Jerry Yates of Blackpool (number 9) celebrates his goal at Posh in November. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.

Blackpool are putting together some impressive numbers as they make a late charge for the League One play-offs.

The Seasiders are unbeaten in nine matches, five of which have been won. They’ve kept six clean sheets during that spell, the latest in a key 2-0 win at Oxford on Saturday, a game they started without seven first-choice players.

That was a fourth successive away win for Blackpool - the first time that’s happened since 2007.

Blackpool now have the second best defensive record in the division behind Sunderland and they haven’t lost at home since October 20.

Promotion contenders Ipswich, Charlton and Lincoln are the three teams to take three points from Bloomfield Road this season, although Pool have been held to five draws.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Striker Jerry Yates is Blackpool’s top scorer in League One this season with 12 goals. He scored in a 2-1 win at the Weston Homes Stadium in November. Gary Madine grabbed a deserved late winner in that game, but he’s been one of many absentees in recent weeks along with speedy winger CJ Hamilton.

Blackpool recruited heavily in the summer and that has stood them in good stead while dealing with many injuries.

On loan Arsenal centre-back Dan Ballard has impressed in recent weeks. He scored his first goal for the club in the 2-0 weekend win at Oxford. Former Cambridge forward Sullay Kaikai also played well at the Kassam Stadium.

PAST POOL V POSH

Posh lost a crazy game at Bloomfield Road 4-3 last season.

Posh led early through Mo Eisa, fell 2-1 behind before Ivan Toney equalised on the stroke of half-time. Posh fell behind again, but equalised again through a Marcus Maddison penalty before conceding victory 15 minutes from time when Dan Butler put the ball in his own net. Posh defender Niall Mason also scored an own goal that day.

Posh have won six and lost nine of 20 Football League games at Blackpool. They last won a League One game at Bloomfield Road in April, 2019 thanks to a superb Maddison strike.

ODDS

Posh are slight favourites at 6/4 to win tomorrow with Sky Bet. Blackpool are 17/10 with the draw priced at 11/5.

Posh are now 9/4 joint second favourites with Sunderland to win League One this season with the same firm. Leaders Hull are 5/4 favourites.

MAN IN THE MIDDLE

Bobby Madley is tonight’s referee. He was a Premier League referee until some inappropriate comments on social media forced his sacking and a brief exile from the English game. He’s back at EFL level now and he’s taken charge of 25 games this season, issuing 77 yellow cards and four red ones.

Madley last refereed Posh in November, 2013 when a late Michael Bostwick goal secured a 1-0 League One win over Wolves at London Road.