Blackpool initiate an intense 7 day schedule on Saturday, hosting a mediocre Burton Albion. Blackpool, with 3 games within this time period, including a BBC aired FA Cup tie, will hope to continue their recent form and ascend onward and upwards in terms of league position while attempting to avoid a so called 'cupset'. If this prophesy is to come true though, they must first dodge an under-performing Burton side who will be looking to find their own way to climb the league table, especially following two consecutive victories in League One.
Injuries and Suspensions:
The Brewers, as clarified on the club website, are suffering something of an injury crisis with Turner, Fox and Sordell almost definitely being out of action. Clough confirmed that Hutchinson might resume training, but whether this results in him playing is another question; he is unlikely to start. Templeton, Brayford and McCroy are said to be 'carrying knocks' and Devante Cole, who some might remember from his time at Fleetwood, has 'had an injection in his groin'.
Blackpool, in stark contrast, only have Jimmy Ryan and Max Clayton out injured and this could make a huge difference and provides one reason why the Brewers are under-performing this season.
Burton Albion FC:
Relegation from the Championship last year was a step backwards for Nigel Clough's men, especially considering when they had managed to consolidate their place in the League at the first time of asking, but a 23rd place finish condemned them to League One football this year. Currently though, countless injuries have tainted a squad that is largely unchanged from the one that played in the Championship. Having not really lost any key players, excluding the likes of Akpan and Flanagan, Burton are an extremely talented side and are bound to go on a run at some point this season, but despite winning the last two, they have not quite found their feet yet.
As I say though, the Brewers experienced no overhaul in the summer and, if anything they strengthened with additions such as Devante Cole on loan and Scott Fraser bolstering an already talented team. In truth, there is nothing exceptionally wrong with Burton but, at the same time, they are yet to show anything they are exceptionally good at either. Never discredit a Nigel Clough side though, they are sure to be organised and a side that fight to the bitter end.
In terms of statistics Burton have won 41% of their matches, 4 of which coming in their last 6 matches. They suffered after a bad start, losing 4 if their first 5, but now in 13th position their season could go either way and as the squad returns to fitness that movement is likely to go up the way. They have been a possession side so far, having 53% on average, but can not quite turn this into what is required, goals. They have only scored 1.35 on average, but when this is compared to Blackpool's 1.18 it does not seem, in comparison at least, so bad. Where the real differentiation between the two sides lies however is in the defensive area, with Blackpool priding themselves on conceding just 0.91 on average, and Burton are no slouches either conceding a decent 1.29 each match, but it goes to show that Blackpool's defense had been the driving force behind their form.
Albion are a side that may or indeed may not turn up on Saturday, but hypothetically it is clear that Blackpool will have to continue with their recent form if they are to kick off the next 7 days in the best way possible.
Last Meeting:
Sources from around the web:
https://www.burtonalbionfc.co.uk/
https://footystats.org/
https://twitter.com/burtonalbionfc
https://www.youtube.com/user/BrewersOfficial/featured
https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/all-about/burton-albion
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burton_Albion_F.C.
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