Preview: Blackpool v Chelsea

On Sky

The champions of England travel to Bloomfield Road tonight for a league game – historic.

That aside though, the Seasiders find themselves just two points clear of the drop zone after the weekend’s results; another shock ‘Pool win would be most welcome, although looks unlikely without suspended duo Charlie Adam and DJ Campbell.

Then again, it could be time for other members of the squad to stand up and be counted – ten games to go and around ten points needed (you’d imagine) for Premier League safety, who can make themselves a hero?

One thing’s for certain – a massive improvement is needed tonight from the Wolves game else Chelsea’s team of superstars will take us to the cleaners.

The reality is that we’re probably going to get nothing out of tonight and the best we can hope for really is that our goal difference doesn’t take a hammering… then again, this is Blackpool we’re talking about… maybe, just maybe…

Vital Quotes:

Ian Holloway:

‘We’ll have as good a go as we can and try to hurt them.

‘Can we run at their back four? Can we get the ball to do that? Can we bring them on to us and then go and hurt them?

‘That`s what my tactics will be, rather than playing a completely suicidal high line against their fantastically fast centre forwards.

‘So our gameplan will be to offer them less space in behind than we did last time.

‘Kalou caused us major problems, so did Malouda and Drogba. They kept spinning in behind and in that first half they scored every ten minutes. It was frightening.

‘We are going to try to keep our defence a little deeper, bring the midfield a little deeper, and then hopefully counter-attack them.

‘We need to play in that manner because I don`t anticipate us having as much of the ball on our own pitch as I normally do.

‘We did it well against Tottenham. They had more possession and shots than we did but we scored three goals and won.

‘I am hoping we do the same against Chelsea.’

Blackpool Team News:

Charlie Adam and DJ Campbell are suspended and it remains to be seen who will fill in in midfield and attack.

Elliot Grandin and Gary Taylor-Fletcher returned to training last week, whilst Stephen Crainey could also return after playing for the reserves last week.

Matt Gilks is hoping to be fit enough to make the bench, as is Chris Basham.

Player to watch: Luke Varney

Assuming he starts, Reggie is due a goal and we could really do with him stepping up to the plate tonight in the absence of DJ.

He played well for the reserves last week; let’s hope he transfers that form across to the first team tonight.

Chelsea Team News:

David Luiz has travelled and is expected to play for the Blues, but John Obi Mikel is a doubt.

Didier Drogba is expected to start.

Alex and Yossi Benayoun are long term absentees.

Player to watch: Didier Drogba

After Chelsea beat us 4-0 at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season, ‘Pool centre half Ian Evatt remarked that he had never come up against anyone as strong as Drogba.

Keeping the Ivorian striker quiet would go a long way to ensuring a positive result tonight.

Match Facts & Stats

Fernando Torres is yet to score for Chelsea since his £50 million move from Liverpool, and has already tasted defeat twice against the Seasiders this season.

The Blues have won on their last six visits to Bloomfield Road in all competitions, Blackpool’s last home win against Chelsea coming in 1965.

‘Pool are yet to keep a clean sheet at home this season, but have scored in every home league game.

Indeed, ‘Pool have not kept a clean sheet since beating Sunderland in December.

However, Chelsea have only won two of their last nine away league games.

Next Fixtures:

Blackburn v Blackpool
Premier League
Saturday 19th March, 15.00