Blackpool v Sunderland – Skybet League One
Last time out Sunderland lost at Bristol and Blackpool lost to Tranmere.
Sunderland's trip to Blackpool will go ahead as normal this weekend amid the spread of coronavirus.
There had been reports that football games in England could be played behind closed doors, but an EFL statement has confirmed that Sunderland's trip to Blackpool will go ahead as planned, with supporters present.
The Black Cats will be looking to salvage their season after a string of poor results have left Phil Parkinson’s team in 7th place, having played more games than their promotion rivals.
Blackpool are as unpredictable as Sunderland, having fought for a point in the derby with Fleetwood they then surrendered at home to lowly Tranmere.
Gateshead born striker Gary Madine missed the Tranmere game due to injury, but he is desperate to be fit for this game.
Phil Parkinson:
“I thought we started OK, had decent control, and passed it reasonably well, but then we just got caught up with the referee’s decisions, the crowd, we got too emotional, and we stopped playing.”
“We have spoken about it before away from home - Portsmouth was an example where the crowd were on at the ref, decisions went against us, and it affected our play - and it happened today.”
“Everyone ended up having arguments, but then you have to get back to playing again and we didn’t do that.”
“We lost our way tonight and that was not a good enough performance in terms of the way we have been playing and the way that we can play.”
“It’s almost like we wanted to win so much that we forgot what we needed to do to win”
Neil Critchley:
“We’re hoping he (Madine) will train later today, if not then hopefully tomorrow.”
“There’s a chance with Gary. He’s feeling a little bit better and with him being a Geordie and this being Sunderland, I’m sure that he’ll be doing everything he can to be a part of the game on Saturday. I know he’ll be desperate to be involved."
Prutton predicts: 2-1
Match Appointments:
Referee: PETER WRIGHT
Assistant Referees: Alan Clayton and Gary Hilton
Fourth Official: Simon Mather
Team Line ups
Sunderland: McLaughlin, O’Nien, Flanagan, Ozturk, Willis, Hume, Power, Dobson, Gooch, Maguire, Lafferty.
Subs:Burge, McLaughlin, Scowen, Lynch, Grigg, Semenyo, Watmore.
Injured: Embleton, Wright
Blackpool: Maxwell, Moore, Heneghan, Husband, Feeney, Virtue-Thick, Dewsbury-Hall, Ronan, MacDonald, Delfouneso, Nuttall
Subs: Howe, Edwards, Spearing, Garrity, Gnanduillet, Ward, Sims
Injured: Kaikai,Madine
Betting Odds:
Home 23/10 Away 6/5 Draw 21/10
My two pence:
This game was always going to be important as we head into the international break, but suddenly it seems like the result of this game could either make or break our season.
Surely we can’t play any worse than on Tuesday night (luckily I missed that one).
My guess is a 1-0 away win.
RIP @grandpops
Ha’way the Lads
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Last time out Sunderland lost at Bristol and Blackpool lost to Tranmere.
Sunderland's trip to Blackpool will go ahead as normal this weekend amid the spread of coronavirus.
There had been reports that football games in England could be played behind closed doors, but an EFL statement has confirmed that Sunderland's trip to Blackpool will go ahead as planned, with supporters present.
The Black Cats will be looking to salvage their season after a string of poor results have left Phil Parkinson’s team in 7th place, having played more games than their promotion rivals.
Blackpool are as unpredictable as Sunderland, having fought for a point in the derby with Fleetwood they then surrendered at home to lowly Tranmere.
Gateshead born striker Gary Madine missed the Tranmere game due to injury, but he is desperate to be fit for this game.
Phil Parkinson:
“I thought we started OK, had decent control, and passed it reasonably well, but then we just got caught up with the referee’s decisions, the crowd, we got too emotional, and we stopped playing.”
“We have spoken about it before away from home - Portsmouth was an example where the crowd were on at the ref, decisions went against us, and it affected our play - and it happened today.”
“Everyone ended up having arguments, but then you have to get back to playing again and we didn’t do that.”
“We lost our way tonight and that was not a good enough performance in terms of the way we have been playing and the way that we can play.”
“It’s almost like we wanted to win so much that we forgot what we needed to do to win”
Neil Critchley:
“We’re hoping he (Madine) will train later today, if not then hopefully tomorrow.”
“There’s a chance with Gary. He’s feeling a little bit better and with him being a Geordie and this being Sunderland, I’m sure that he’ll be doing everything he can to be a part of the game on Saturday. I know he’ll be desperate to be involved."
You must log in or register to see images
Prutton predicts: 2-1
Match Appointments:
Referee: PETER WRIGHT
Assistant Referees: Alan Clayton and Gary Hilton
Fourth Official: Simon Mather
Team Line ups
Sunderland: McLaughlin, O’Nien, Flanagan, Ozturk, Willis, Hume, Power, Dobson, Gooch, Maguire, Lafferty.
You must log in or register to see images
Subs:Burge, McLaughlin, Scowen, Lynch, Grigg, Semenyo, Watmore.
Injured: Embleton, Wright
Blackpool: Maxwell, Moore, Heneghan, Husband, Feeney, Virtue-Thick, Dewsbury-Hall, Ronan, MacDonald, Delfouneso, Nuttall
Subs: Howe, Edwards, Spearing, Garrity, Gnanduillet, Ward, Sims
Injured: Kaikai,Madine
Betting Odds:
Home 23/10 Away 6/5 Draw 21/10
My two pence:
This game was always going to be important as we head into the international break, but suddenly it seems like the result of this game could either make or break our season.
Surely we can’t play any worse than on Tuesday night (luckily I missed that one).
My guess is a 1-0 away win.
RIP @grandpops

Ha’way the Lads
