Colchester United V Pool

After earning a point in the Boxing Day clash Pool travel all the way to Essex to face bottom of the league Colchester United at Layer Road.

Colchester United Team News:

Midfielder Kem Izzet is a doubt with a dislocated thumb and Adam Virgo will also face a late fitness test after being knocked out on Boxing day. The U`s haven`t won in 5 games and managed a draw against Southampton on Boxing day thanks to a Clive Platt equalizer. The problem has been their home form which, incidentally was brilliant last season. Two wins, six draws and four losses is the worst home record in the division.

Player to watch: Mark Yeates

Awesome in the reverse fixture Yeates scored two free kicks, which add to his eight goals this season. After numerous loan spells while he was a trainee at Tottenham the Dublin born winger has impressed at Layer Road.

Blackpool Team News:

Ian Evatt will miss the match due to the red card he picked up on boxing day. Michael Jackson will replace the man mountain, this season has now seen all three off our center-backs pick up red cards. Michael Flynn will continue to play with a broken hand. Andy Morrell was set to be rested for the match but with him only playing the first 15 minuets due to the sending off he will partner Ben Burgess upfront.

Player to watch: Ben Burgess

Despite being on his own for the majority of the match Big Ben did well holding up the ball and winning the odd free kick. In the first half he hit the bar with an outrageous hocked shot from all of 30 yards (may be a slight exaggeration).

Match Facts & Stats

As mentioned above it was the Mark Yeates show at Bloomfield Road earlier this season when the U`s grabbed a late draw, such was the disappointment it felt like a defeat. Andy Morrell opening the scoring in the second half, Yeates equalised with a freekick 10 minuets later. Shaun Barker looked to have sealed all three points with a goal on 84 but Yeates smashed in a carbon copy freekick two minuets later.

Last visit to Layer Road ended in a 3-2 defeat, the late goals from Murphy and Tommy Wright make the result seem a close victory for the home side. The last win at Colchester was in 2005 a winner from the gaffer Simon Grayson on 75 minutes.

Ref Watch:

P Armstrong – From Berkshire – Games: 4 Yellow Cards: 6 Red Cards: 1 – Only Officiated 4 games this season
D D Bushell and O Saliy
Fourth Official R P Whitton

Match Prediction:

Colchester 0 – 1 Blackpool

Next Fixtures:

Football League Championship Burnley H 01-01-2008