Blackpool vs Burnley prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2023-03-03 15:00.
When Blackpool boss Mick McCarthy was told by a journalist that their season “can’t go on like this” after their 3-1 defeat against Reading last time out, he simply replied “it can”! Perhaps McCarthy was acutely aware that next up for his relegation battling side was a clash against runaway league leaders Burnley, with the Seasiders coming into this game on the back of just one win in 17 league meetings this season (D6, L10).
The fact that sole win came in their last home outing perhaps offers a crumb of comfort to a Blackpool side who, four points adrift of safety, are fast becoming desperate. McCarthy’s side are at least four games unbeaten at Bloomfield Road in the league (W1, D3), and they can perhaps be further buoyed by the fact their boss has 11 career managerial wins against Burnley since his return to club management in 2003/04, his joint-best tally against a single opponent.
Yet it’s hard to see McCarthy adding to that tally against this Burnley winning machine, who swept Blackpool’s relegation rivals Huddersfield aside with consummate ease at the weekend (4-0). The Clarets followed that up with another win in FA Cup action in midweek, beating Fleetwood Town 1-0 to advance to the last-eight of the competition for the first time since 2002/03.
Burnley swiftly return to league action and will be backed by a capacity away end, with tickets selling out in less than a day for this Lancashire derby. It’s easy to see why there’s such clamour to see Burnley play with their lead atop of the table becoming lengthy, and whilst promotion and the title now seem a mere formality, Burnley won’t relent as they hunt down Reading’s record 106 point haul of 2005/06.
Players to watch: Gary Madine returned to action against Reading after a four-match suspension, and the Blackpool front man has showcased his aerial prowess with four headed goals from his last seven. Burnley’s Nathan Tella was at the double in the reverse H2H (3-3), and he scored the game’s last goal in four of his last five scoring appearances.
Hot stat: Only Stoke (six) have scored more stoppage time Championship goals than Burnley’s five this season.