On Sky
Provided this game goes ahead, it promises to be a real Christmas cracker.
Both teams are on a good run of a form and play great football, so the neutrals are promised a great afternoon of action tomorrow with the United v Chelsea game following our match on Sky.
The bad weather (including snow) in the Blackpool area has put the game into doubt, but fingers crossed we get the game on and it fills us with Christmas cheer!
Vital Quotes:
It’s been a love-in between Ian Holloway and Harry Redknapp this week, with Ollie calling for Harry to be knighted and Harry labelling Ollie’s work at Blackpool ‘a miracle’.
For a bit of balance, we get our pre-match quotes this week from ‘Pool centre half Ian Evatt:
‘We were saying in training this week that it could end up 5-5 because it is going to be one of those games.
‘Both teams are really attacking and it is not going to be a game where defences will be on top.
‘Teams like Tottenham are catching the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea. The gap is getting closer.
‘They are improving every season as they have shown in the Champions League this year.
‘We are going to have to be at our very best if we are going to get a result.’
Blackpool Team News:
The Seasiders are without skipped Charlie Adam after his ridiculous booking v Stoke last weekend.
Craig Cathcart and David Vaughan could face late fitness tests after Cathcart jarred his knee and Vaughan rolled his ankle in training.
Alex Baptiste, Billy Clarke, Matt Gilks, Malaury Martin, Chris Basham, Marlon Harewood, and Paul Rachubka all remain long term absentees.
Player to watch: Ludovic Sylvestre
Expected to replace Adam in the middle of the park, Sylvestre has impressed in the glimpses we’ve seen of him, but this is his real chance to shine.
Spurs Team News:
Jermaine Jenes is still crocked, but Rafael van der Vaart and Younes Kaboul are both expected to travel. Wilson Palacios should also be fit despite picking up a knock in the draw v Chelsea last weekend.
Tom Huddlestone, Ledley King, Jonathan Woodgate, and Jamie O’Hara all remain absent however.
Player to watch: Jermain Defoe
Our defence never deals well with pace, and Defoe has that in abundance.
Our offside trap will have to be spot on if we’re not to be caught out by Defoe.
Match Facts & Stats
The last time the two sides met at Bloomfield Road was in 1991, where Spurs triumphed 1-0 in a FA Cup clash (they went on to win the competition).
Spurs haven’t lost to Blackpool since 1966, but have only won once outside of London in all competitions this season.
Spurs are unbeaten in six.
Blackpool are the only side in the Premier League yet to keep a clean sheet at home.
Our last meeting with Spurs was in the 2007 League Cup; the hosts winning 2-0 at White Hart Lane.
Our last league meeting with Spurs was in 1978. The game ended in a draw. Spurs won the game at Bloomfield Road in that season.
The Seasiders have only lost one of the last seven.
Blackpool have allowed the opposition 106 shots on target against them this season, more than any other team in the league.
On the flipside, Blackpool lead the way for goals outside the area in the Prem this season, with six.
Next Fixtures:
Liverpool at home on Boxing Day.
Hope the game does go ahead, get out there with your spades fellas. I agree with all of above should be a good game, i like the way you guys play. at least you don’t ”park the bus” deserved your win against a very negative Stoke. Sorry chaps can only see one outcome here with some of our top players back from injury. But hey may the best team win!