Blackpool vs West Bromwich Albion

22nd November

The Baggies head to Blackpool on Tuesday night (ko 7.45pm) hoping to return to winning ways in the Sky Bet Championship.

Albion suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Huddersfield Town on Saturday afternoon, with skipper Jake Livermore shown a straight red card late in the second period.

Opponents Blackpool sit 10th ahead of the midweek clash. The Tangerines were promoted to the second tier via the play-offs last season and they’ll be extremely satisfied with their return of 26 points from 18 matches so far.

Tuesday’s opponents have lost just two of their last 11 league games, earning a point away to Swansea City at the weekend.

The Baggies had a frustrating afternoon at Huddersfield on Saturday

How to follow the game

All supporters can stream Albion’s visit to Bloomfield Road live on WBA TV Matchday.

Match Passes are available for £10 and include a live feed with Baggies-biased commentary from Gez Mulholland and Andy Johnson, as well as a full-match replay the following day.

Supporters based overseas who have a seasonal or monthly subscription don’t need to do anything else, you’ll automatically gain access in the usual way.

All other supporters, including seasonal and monthly subscribers, who would like to watch can purchase their match pass here.

Coverage will start from 7.30pm and can be accessed here.

Opposition

Blackpool have comfortably settled back into Sky Bet Championship life having won promotion from League One via the play-offs last season.

The Tangerines head into Tuesday’s meeting 10th in the division, with 26 points and eye-catching victories over Fulham, Blackburn and Sheffield United among others to their name.

Neil Critchley, the former Liverpool PL2 boss, is the man in charge at Bloomfield Road. The 43-year-old has been at the helm since March 2020 and has driven the club back up to the second tier for the first time since the 2014/15 campaign.

He’s won almost half of his 80 games as Blackpool manager, losing just 21.

But despite sitting inside the top half of the Championship, Critchley will want his side to find their winning touch once more after a run of three games without victory.

Blackpool picked up one point from their two home games immediately before the international break, and then drew 1-1 at Swansea City on Saturday.

Blackpool have produced some impressive performances in the Championship so far this term

Classic clash

Albion scored three goals in the final nine minutes to beat Blackpool 3-1 in 2008.

Ben Burgess gave the hosts the lead in the first half but Kevin Phillips' brace and Ishmael Miller's smart strike secured three points from the Baggies.

Did you know?

Both teams have scored in all of the last 10 meetings in all competitions between West Bromwich Albion and Blackpool.

In those 10 games there has been a total of 41 goals.

Albion celebrate scoring against Blackpool in 2011

Away kit colours

The Baggies will don their black away kit at Bloomfield Road.

You can order it here.

LV BET's latest odds

Albion are the favourites at 1/2 (2.00) to beat Blackpool.

The last 10 times these teams faced each other, both sides managed to find the back of the net, with West Bromwich Albion winning seven of those encounters. We’ve got the Baggies at 3/1 (4.00) to win with both sides scoring.

If you’re looking for a goalscorer, who better than Karlan Grant? The striker leads our anytime goalscorer market at 9/5 (2.80) and first goalscorer market at 5/1 (6.00).

Check out the new LV BET Bet £10 Get £10 customer offer here. 18+ begambleaware.org. Terms apply. Odds are subject to change.

23rd November

Albion were held to a goalless draw by Blackpool on Tuesday night, in what was an end-to-end affair at Bloomfield Road.

The Baggies’ high-press approach created a constant flow of goalscoring opportunities, with Conor Townsend and Karlan Grant both being denied by Tangerines stopper Dan Grimshaw during the first 45 minutes.

Valérien Ismaël’s leading talisman poked a good chance narrowly past the post and centre-back Matt Clarke had two good chances to find the net during the second 45, but the home side kept them at bay to earn a share of the points.

Determination was evident in Albion’s start to proceedings, and Grady Diangana came close to taking advantage of a poor pass from Grimshaw in the opening 15 minutes. Despite the 23-year-old dragging the eventual shot wide, the away side's relentless energy created more openings during the half.

Mowatt lofted a shot over following a mazy run from Conor Townsend, before the left wing-back forced Blackpool's stopper into the game’s first meaningful save after he was played inside the box for a shot by Matty Phillips.

Space continued to open up down the flanks and topscorer Grant came mightily close to exposing the time afforded to him when Diangana opened up the Blackpool backline. But Grimshaw was alive to smother his strike, and the goalkeeper at the other end was called into action to produce a fine spectacle on the stroke of half-time.

England international Sam Johnstone showed his qualities between the sticks when a long throw dropped kindly to the hosts inside the box, who had two efforts which seemed to be heading towards the back of the net. They wouldn’t get past Albion’s No.1, though, who pulled off a remarkable double-save to see his side through to the break very much in the contest.

The game’s fast pace feel didn't falter during the second half as the Baggies’ pressure continued to work them space for shots.

Grant, Jayson Molumby and Jordan Hugill all found sprawling Blackpool defenders in the way of their shots, while Clarke somehow headed Mowatt’s menacing corner kick over on the goal-line as the away side peppered the hosts’ penalty area.

On-loan Brighton defender Clarke thought he was in to make amends when a long throw-in fell invitingly across his body eight yards out. Still, the home side didn't lie down and James Husband’s flying block ensured the game stayed 0-0.

With time running down, just under 2,000 of the travelling faithful must’ve thought goal-hungry striker Grant would find the goal the Baggies had been fighting for when Townsend was allowed time to pick him out with an inch-perfect pass.

However, he slipped the ball wide of the target and it proved to be the final chance of the night as Albion left the west coast with just a point from their tireless efforts.

Albion: Johnstone; Kipre, Bartley, Clarke; Furlong, Molumby, Mowatt, Townsend; Diangana (Robinson 61), Phillips (Hugill 61), Grant.

Substitutes: Button, Ajayi, Gardner-Hickman, Reach, Fellows.

Tuesday 23rd November 2021 - 19:45