Swansea vs Blackpool prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2023-02-14 19:45.
Swansea head coach Russell Martin described his sideâs defending in their 3-0 defeat at Sheffield United as âunacceptableâ and âinexcusableâ, as they slipped to a third Championship game in a row without victory (D1, L2). A leaky rearguard is nothing new for the Swans though, as only Wigan have conceded more than their 45 goals ahead of this round.
Home comforts arenât likely to set their defendersâ minds at ease either, with Swanseaâs last match on home turf ending in a 4-3 loss to Birmingham, which makes up part of a run of just one win from their last five league games here (D1, L3). Despite sitting comfortably ten points above the drop zone, a drastic change in fortune will be required for the Swans to prevent their season from drifting, with a first home H2H victory over Blackpool since 2005 potentially pivotal in kickstarting that revival, and maybe even a playoff push.
No team in the Championship are currently struggling as much as Blackpool though, with their 0-0 draw against Rotherham seeing the Seasiders sink to the foot of the table. Manager Mick McCarthyâs appointment has failed to make waves so far (D2, L1), with no side in the division on a longer winless run than their 13-game streak which stretches back to October (D6, L7).
At least a first clean sheet in eight league games was a positive for the beleaguered Blackpool players, who will be fully motivated by the prospect of climbing out of the relegation zone with victory here. Travelling away from Bloomfield Road isnât always a negative for the Seasiders either, having collected 50% of their points this term on the road (14), albeit that still makes them the sixth-worst side in the division away from home!
Players to watch: Swansea midfielder Olivier Ntcham scored a late winner in this seasonâs reverse fixture; seven of his nine goals for the club have arrived after half-time. Blackpool may turn to on-loan winger Josh Bowler, who has avoided defeat in all of his three goalscoring appearances for the Seasiders this term (W1, D2).
Hot stat: Blackpool are one of two Championship sides yet to score in the first 15 minutes of an away match this season.