Match Preview

Pool V Burnley

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After picking up 7 points in the festive period Pool will be looking to continue that good form into 2008 with the visit of local rivals Burnley

Blackpool Team News:

Keith Southern is the only player not available, he`s still recovering from an ankle injury. Ian Evatt is back from suspension but Michael Jackson should keep his place in the starting line up. Also hoping to retain a starting place is Scott Vernon, he started ahead of Ben Burgess for the Colchester match and with two goals in the first half he`ll be looking to start the match on the pitch. There have been reports that Wes Hoolahan had a slight hamstring injury but is likely to recover in time to take his place on the left wing.

Player to watch: Michael Flynn

After a slow start to the season Flynn has cemented a place in the side thanks to the injury of Keith Southern. With goals in the Stoke and Coventry game he has added an extra goal threat from the middle of the park and with Burnley being a bit lightweight in that department he`ll be looking to stamp his authority on the game.

Burnley Team News:

Burnley have been great away from the Turf since Owen Coyle took over control, but at home haven`t picked up a win, on Saturday they were defeated by Bristol City. Former Blackpool defender Clarke Carlisle was injured in the Bristol defeat picking up a hamstring injury. Joey Gudjonsson is still serving a ban as is John Spicer.

Top goal scorer Andy Gray will be given a late fitness test, if passed fit he may start with either Robbie Blake or Adi Akinbiyi. There is some good news with midfielder / full back Graham Alexander and midfielder Chris McCann returning from suspension.

Player to watch: Andy Gray

He`s having a late fitness test so lets hope he fails as he`s grabbed 11 goals in the league this season, 6 of them away from home. He`s missed the last two games with an injury and with Owen Coyle short in strikers he`ll be hoping that the former Sheff Utd striker will be fit.

Match Facts & Stats

Back in August the two sides shared a point in a cracking match. Burnley took the lead in the second half with a goal from Steve Jones, Wes Hoolahan equalized from the spot, only for substitute Adi Akinbiyi to regain the lead for the home side. Andy Morrell then leveled the game in the 90th minute.

The Clampets last visit to Bloomfield Road was in 2000, Graham Branch grabbed an equalizer after Wayne Gill had put the home side in the lead.

Blackpool`s last home win over Burnley was back in 1997. Clarkson and Preece`s provided the goals after the away side took the lead thanks to Gerard Creaney.

Ref Watch:

A Marriner – W. Midlands – Games: 19 Yellow Cards: 60 Red Cards: 4 – MIB 14th 2.2
R Burton and R Pollock
Fourth Official A Bates

Match Prediction:

Blackpool 2 – 1 Burnley

Next Fixtures:

English FA Cup Barnsley A 05-01-2008

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Blackpool F.C. Ed

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