Preview: ‘Pool v Potters

They reckon that billions of people around the world were watching and celebrating the Royal Wedding today… I wasn’t one of them; I was saving myself for tomorrow when I hope to be one of thousands at Bloomfield Road watching and celebrating a massive Blackpool victory.

Make no mistake, ‘Pool need to win this game. They nearly got the job done against Newcastle last weekend, but will have to ensure that they get the job done tomorrow else we face an immediate return to the Championship.

Spirits are high in the Blackpool camp after last week’s draw, and hopefully the players can produce again roared on by a capacity Blackpool crowd.

Vital Quotes:

Ian Holloway: ‘I still believe there’s enough in us to cause the biggest shock ever by staying up.’

As Journey sang, ‘Don’t Stop Believing’.

Blackpool Team News:

James Beattie may miss out through illness, but Stephen Crainey is expected to be fit despite taking a knock in training.

Apart from that, Ian Holloway largely has a full deck to select from.

Player to watch: Matt Gilks

Stoke are a constant threat from set pieces and balls pumped into the box, so Matt Gilks will have to be on his toes and on his game in terms of organising his defence.

Stoke Team News:

Matt Etherington misses out after tearing a hamstring in the midweek win against Wolves.

Ricardo Fuller is also crocked.

Player to watch: Kenwyne Jones

All of Stoke’s attacking play is likely to come through him. Expect Ian Evatt to be given the task of man marking him.

Match Facts & Stats

Blackpool have not beaten Stoke at home in the league since 1964, a run of 10 matches.

Stoke have won four of the last five league meetings at Bloomfield Road.

Blackpool have won just one of their last 14 league matches (beating Tottenham 3-1 at home in February). They have lost 12 of their 17 Premier League games since the turn of the year and have the worst home record in the top flight.

No side has kept a clean sheet in 17 league matches at Bloomfield Road this season, including Blackpool. The Tangerines are on course to match Chelsea’s record of 19 matches in 1960/61.

Blackpool have let in 15 goals in the last 10 minutes of league games this season, more than any other top-flight side.

The Potters have not won away from home in 2011 and have picked up just one point in their eight away matches this year.

Stoke have not lost a league match in which they opened the scoring (W9, D4).