Blackpool v Tottenham

Blackpool welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Bloomfield Road for the first time since 1991 looking for a first victory since January, with the odds heavily stacked against them.

Spurs are 8/11 to win at the seaside, having won their last four in all competitions.

However, with Harry Redknapp’s side now fighting in the Champions League and attempting to hold onto fourth spot in the Premier League, it could be the Seasiders’ best opportunity for maximum points against the high flyers – especially after their exploits last week in Milan.

Anyway, less of them and more of us! There is a more upbeat attitude around the club after last week’s 1-1 draw against Aston Villa which stopped the rot of defeats and helped to realign results before the season run in.

Ian Holloway’s team now sit two points ahead of the relegation zone with Tuesday night being the all important game in hand.

And with Wolves coming up on Saturday, this has the makings of being a huge week in the quest for survival.

Vital Quotes:

Harry Redknapp talks about Ian Holloway: ‘I don’t think I’ve ever managed a team against him but I saw him at the League Managers’ meeting at the start of the year and he was absolutely brilliant.

‘He took the meeting over to be fair. Alex Ferguson and everyone was there, but I don’t think anyone got a word in.

‘I said at the end ‘Ollie it’s been great having you here this year. I don’t think we’ll be seeing you here at the next Premier League meeting – unless you get another Premier League club – but you’ve been great value this year`. He said ‘No I think you’re right’ – but it looks like he might prove us all wrong.

‘He’s done unbelievably well, he’s done an incredible job. What he’s done there has been a miracle.

‘He’s full of enthusiasm, he’s bubbly, he’s a great character and he’s got his team playing fantastic football and getting great results.

‘Let’s be honest, no-one saw them having a chance to survive this year. I think everybody said they’d be lucky if they got 20 points.

‘Well they’ve gone away from home to places like Liverpool and turned teams over. They won away at Stoke, which not many teams do. I’ve seen an awful lot of them on the TV and they have a go, they attack. They get after teams and they’ve just been absolutely brilliant. So has Ollie, he’s been great value as well.’

And Ollie repaid the compliments, stating that Redknapp should be given the England job next time it comes available: ‘We’ll have to leave that to the powers that be, but I for one would love to see him in that chair.

‘I think he can handle it and I think he’d get our players to play the way his clubs play – with a great deal of attacking prowess.

‘He seems to get the best out of everybody, which you need as an international manager.’

Blackpool Team News:

There are no new injury worries for the Seasiders who remain without left back Stephen Crainey, midfielder Gary Taylor-Fletcher and ‘keeper Matt Gilks.

Elliot Grandin is also unlikely to feature, with either Andy Reid, Jason Puncheon or either Ludovic Sylvestre filling the void.

Player to watch: Richard Kingson

After being knocked-back constantly for an emergency back up goalkeeper – with teams like Blackburn wanting their man to be playing every week if loaned out – Pool will again feature Richard Kingson between the sticks.

The Ghanian stopper has split supporters recently but after a solid display against Villa last week, could well have put his high profile slips behind him.

Tottenham Hotspur Team News:

Good news: Rafael Van der Vaart is out of the game with a calf injury plus Gareth Bale won’t play any part.

Jonathan Woodgate and Vedran Corluka also miss out, with Spurs looking vulnerable in the right back position.

Player to watch: Luka Modric

The Croatian midfielder will have his work cut out keeping the ball on the floor with the bumpy surface at Bloomers – just as Adam, Vaughan and co have had to contend with for weeks.