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Blackpool are back in action at Bloomfield Road against Tony Mowbray's Sunderland on New Years Day.
The Seasiders will be looking to kick off 2023 with three points against a Black Cats side they impressed against during the 0-0 reverse fixture earlier in the season.
The visitors sit in mid-table as Mowbray has looked to steer the ship following Alex Neil's departure.
One to watch - Ross Stewart:
Stewart's injury midway through the season disrupted Sunderland's progress but he marked his return where he left off on the scoresheet.
Sunderland's top scorer despite playing just ten Championship games this season, the Scottish forward has continued with the form that saw him play a pivotal role in Sunderland's promotion from League One as he looks to make a mark on the international stage before long.
The Head Coach - Tony Mowbray:
Mowbray's summer departure from Blackburn Rovers after a successful number of years in charge at Ewood Park evidently stood him in good stead to quickly return to Sky Bet Championship work.
Taking the role at the Stadium of Light following Alex Neil's decision to depart for Stoke City, Mowbray has made steady progress during his early months, particularly now with the return of his goalscoring pair of Ross Stewart and Ellis Simms from injury.
Mowbray is a vastly experienced number one with time at West Bromwich Albion, Celtic and Middlesbrough seeing him build projects over time.
The Referee - Tim Robinson:
Robinson has handed out 72 yellow cards and four red cards during his 18 games so far this season, the majority of which came in the Sky Bet Championship.
His last game in charge of the Seasiders came in the 0-1 home defeat to Luton Town in early November.
Team News:
Jordan Thorniley is available once again following a one-match suspension for his red card at Hull City on Boxing Day.
‘I can see goals in this one’ — Blackpool v Sunderland prediction: The72
Blackpool host Sunderland tomorrow in the Championship.
Blackpool come into the New Year’s Day clash on the back of a 2-1 defeat to promotion-chasing Sheffield United. The Seasiders sit 23rd in the league and haven’t won a game in their past eight outings. Following a strong second-tier showing last year, it appears Blackpool will be in a lot more trouble this time around.
Sunderland come into this one unbeaten in three and with two wins on the bounce. Their 4-1 victory midweek over Wigan Athletic saw them comfortably dismiss the Latics despite never really growing fully into the game.
Ahead of the clash, a handful of The72’s writers have given their predictions…
Thomas Kelly-Hansford
“Blackpool are in trouble. Appleton now has a huge task on his hands and pressure is growing following a pretty dire run of results. The Blackpool squad isn’t the most talented in the league, but on their day they can grind out wins and I expect them to try and do that here.
“Sunderland flourish when the game is at a hgiher tempo and when given time to play not many teams can stop the likes of Amad, Stewart, Roberts and Clarke. A win could see them solidify a place in the top-six, but it won’t be routine.
“I expect this one to be tight and given the defensive injuries to Sunderland I can see them dropping points eventually.”
Score prediction: Blackpool 1-1 Sunderland
James Ray
“Sunderland should come into this tie in supreme confidence, even with defensive injuries to contend with. Their attacking ranks are looking potent at the moment and with Amad Diallo hitting top form alongside Ross Stewart and Ellis Simms, I can see goals in this one.
“Blackpool might given the Black Cats a run for their money but I think the visitors’ firepower will be too much to contend with.
“I’m going for a goal-filled one, but I will be giving the edge to Sunderland. They could cause the Tangerines’ backline some serious issues.”
+ Strengths + Creating chances through individual skill: Very Strong Attacking down the wings: Strong Creating long shot opportunities: Strong Finishing scoring chances: Strong Counter attacks: Strong Stealing the ball from the opposition: Strong
- Weaknesses - Defending set pieces: Weak Aerial duels: Weak Stopping opponents from creating chances: Weak Defending against long shots: Weak Protecting the lead: Very Weak
Sunderland's Style of Play Short passes Attacking down the right Aggressive Consistent first eleven Opponents play aggressively against them
Learning to read clusters is not something your eyes do naturally. It takes constant practice.
Latest team news ahead of tomorrow's clash against Sunderland:
- Jordan Thorniley back from suspension - Luke Garbutt out for 3 weeks with a hamstring injury - Chris Maxwell took part in the warm-up on Thursday nighthttps://t.co/Kf3pYg0A8X
Blackpool claimed a point against Sunderland in a battling display at Bloomfield Road.
Callum Connolly was booked in the opening stages for a late challenge after the linesman failed to award the Seasiders a throw-in in the prior phase of play.
Blackpool looked lively going forward and that paid off in the 21st minute as CJ Hamilton fed the ball through to Shayne Lavery who remained composed and slotted past Anthony Patterson to give the Seasiders the lead.
The visitors struggled to create in the opening 30 minutes as Blackpool looked balanced both in and out of possession. Ian Poveda was booked for simulation following one of his regular driving runs.
Sunderland looked to force overloads in the final third and a ball across the box missed everyone, falling to Jack Clarke whose eventual effort was tame.
Blackpool could've doubled their lead in the 38th minute as Ian Poveda caused yet more havoc in the final third forcing a save before the rebound fell to Gary Madine who fired over the bar.Â
The attacking dominance continued as Poveda once again glided past his man before laying off to Sonny Carey to strike in the 44th minute but the linesman's flag was raised for offside. But Sunderland remained in proceedings as space opened up in the area for Amad Diallo to crash against the crossbar in first-half added time.
HT: Blackpool 1-0 Sunderland
Callum Connolly kicked off the second half going close once more for Blackpool as he got a touch on a delivery to the backpost but it was calmly collected by Patterson.
Sunderland threatened minutes later as Dan Neil turned and opened up space in midfield, feeding Amad Diallo whose bending effort was tipped away by Chris Maxwell. Carey looked to respond to the spell of Black Cats pressure but his driven effort from range was well held.
The visitors went close to an equaliser in the 64th minute as Jack Clarke drove into the heart of the Blackpool defence, laying off to Ross Stewart, who drilled against the crossbar. The Scottish forward made no mistake moments later as his flicked header beat Maxwell to level the scoreline.
Michael Appleton turned to Jerry Yates and Jake Beesley in the 72nd minute replacing Shayne Lavery and CJ Hamilton as Blackpool looked to re-assert control on the game but Sunderland continued to press forward as Stewart almost had a second on the end of a driven delivery.
Charlie Patino was replaced by Kenny Dougall in the 81st minute before Callum Wright took the place of Ian Poveda in the 88th minute.Â
Callum Connolly received his second yellow card for a late challenge out wide in the 90th minute but Blackpool were able to hold on for a point.
Sunderland AFC were denied three points on New Year’s Day, as Blackpool held on at Bloomfield Road to ensure a share of the spoils.
Shaun Lavery opened the scoring midway through an action-packed opening period, which also saw Amad rattle the crossbar in additional time.
Ross Stewart struck the woodwork after the hour mark, but the Black Cats refused to be denied and the frontman headed home Trai Hume’s cross for a deserved equaliser.
The Lads’ top scorer went close to a winner on two occasions, as the Tangerines rode their luck until time was up in Lancashire to claim a point.
Tony Mowbray made two changes following back-to-back festive wins, with Patrick Roberts and Stewart returning to the side to face Blackpool.
Edouard Michut retained his place following an impressive outing against Wigan Athletic, but the Frenchman was yellow carded in a scrappy opening at Bloomfield Road.
The Tangerines struck first blood with 21 minutes on the clock, as Lavery broke free before slotting a composed finish under Anthony Patterson.
Roberts led the response for Mowbray’s men, with Amad forcing a corner following bright play from the winger, who was denied by Chris Maxwell soon after.
Jack Clarke was denied before Marvin Ekpiteta blocked a Stewart effort, but Michael Appleton’s side also threatened through CJ Hamilton and Gary Madine.
Bailey Wright made an important block prior to the interval and Amad struck the crossbar, as the Tangerines edged into the break with a slender advantage.
The on-loan Manchester United forward was denied again on 54 minutes, when Maxwell clawed his goalbound effort away from the corner.
Substitute Ba sent Clarke tearing into opposition territory after the hour mark, but Stewart’s resulting ten-yard strike cannoned off the crossbar.
Moments later, the striker’s frustration melted away and he was wheeling away in celebration, with a deft header from Hume’s cross levelling the encounter.
Stewart was inches away from connecting with an Amad cross from two yards on 77 minutes, as wave after wave of attack crashed against the home backline.
Luke O’Nien headed over the top on his 200th appearance for the Lads and further chances fell before time was up, but the Tangerines held on for a point.
Blackpool Strengths Were effective at creating goalscoring opportunities from counter attacks
Sunderland Strengths Created a high number of chances relative to their possession Were effective at creating goalscoring opportunities through individual skill Were effective at creating goalscoring opportunities from the flanks
Blackpool Weaknesses Were aggressive Lost possession often
Sunderland Weaknesses Were poor at finishing Gave away a lot of free-kicks around the box
Styles: Blackpool Favoured long balls (Hooooooooof!!!) Favoured through balls
Stylrs: Sunderland Attacked through the middle Dominated possession Favoured short passing Favoured through balls
Learning to read clusters is not something your eyes do naturally. It takes constant practice.
🎥 "I certainly hope and think so. I think by the end of the week there'll be reinforcements in"#Blackpool head coach Michael Appleton#utmp#bbcefl#bbcfootball
‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’
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Sunderland Home Match Thread on 20:25 - Jan 1 with 1469 views
The players / team has got so much heart and battled for everything. Every one of them deserves a big THANK YOU. They're the only reason we picked anything at all up.
Yet, we were went out as a disorganised, poorly set up and coach rabble with a weird square peg team selection / formation and even more illogical substitutions.
We were outclassed, particularly in the second half and again, were lucky to win a point.
Put a bit of quality and coaching / organisation with the spirit of these players and we could go far. That's serious!!!
[Post edited 1 Jan 2023 21:41]
Learning to read clusters is not something your eyes do naturally. It takes constant practice.
‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’
0
Sunderland Home Match Thread on 21:54 - Jan 1 with 1431 views
‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’
0
Sunderland Home Match Thread on 21:58 - Jan 1 with 1430 views
‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’
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