Blackpool and Barnsley will both be looking to push away from the Championship relegation zone when they meet at Bloomfield Road on Saturday.

The two teams each have eight points – three above the bottom three – and sit 19th and 18th respectively.

Match preview

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Blackpool go into the game in much better form, as they have begun to find their feet following a difficult start to life back in the second tier.

After winning the League One playoffs last season, the Seasiders failed to win any of their first five league games of the new campaign but have since triumphed in two of the last three.

Having defeated promotion favourites Fulham a fortnight ago, Neil Critchley's side came from behind to beat Middlesbrough 2-1 last weekend thanks to Marvin Ekpiteta's strike and an own goal from Grant Hall.

The result moved Blackpool out of the relegation zone, with Critchley commenting that it proved his team "can be competitive in this division".

Now the Seasiders are looking for back-to-back victories for the first time this season, but they have scored just once in four home league games so far in 2021-22 and have only won one of their last nine league meetings with Barnsley.

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Following defeat in the playoffs last season, the Tykes have struggled to find their feet in the new campaign under Markus Schopp.

The Austrian replaced West Bromwich Albion-bound Valerien Ismael in the summer but has overseen just one victory from the first eight league games and the South Yorkshire outfit are currently winless in six matches.

A league-high five draws has kept Barnsley above the drop zone so far and they played out a 0-0 stalemate against Blackburn Rovers last weekend.

Only Hull City (five) have netted fewer goals than the Tykes (six) in the Championship this season, while they are yet to win away from home.

With a clash against 23rd-place Nottingham Forest to come on Wednesday, Schopp will be hopeful of turning a corner before the next international break.

Team News

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Critchley could name an unchanged Blackpool team after victory over Middlesbrough last weekend, meaning last season's top scorer Jerry Yates would have to settle for a spot on the bench once again.

Kevin Stewart missed the trip to Teesside with a foot issue, but Critchley is hopeful that the midfielder could be available.

Demetri Mitchell may also be in contention having not featured so far in 2021-22 due to a pre-season knee injury, but Reece James is still out.

Claudio Gomes was forced off injured in Barnsley's draw with Blackburn last weekend, making the Manchester City loanee a doubt for Saturday.

However, Schopp will be able to welcome back Liam Kitching from suspension, while Jordan Williams, Ben Williams and Josh Benson are available following injuries.

Romal Palmer is back in training after missing the Blackburn game, but this match is likely to come too soon for the midfielder.

Blackpool possible starting lineup:
Maxwell; Sterling, Ekpiteta, Keogh, Garbutt; Bowler, Wintle, Dougall, Anderson; Lavery, John-Jules

Barnsley possible starting lineup:
Collins; Kitching, Helik, Moon; Sibbick, Brittain, Benson, Styles; Oduor, Iseka; Woodrow

We say: Blackpool 1-1 Barnsley

Barnsley will be strengthened by several returning players, but they come up against a Blackpool side who are growing in confidence every week; the Tykes are the Championship's draw specialists and we think this game will also end level.

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