wildrose
12-11-2007, 04:32 PM
Blackpool v Cardiff
Blackpool (18th) will host Cardiff (17th) at Bloomfield Road, as both teams have the same 23 points, with one less game played than the majority in the League Championship. Both teams are almost comparable in their latest 5 game performance, with Blackpool 2W-1D-2L, and Cardiff 2W-2D-1L.
Blackpool boss Simon Grayson will check on the fitness of Michael Jackson ahead of the home clash. Skipper Jackson was forced off after 65 minutes of Saturday 1-0 win at derby rivals Preston due to a stomach complaint. He was replaced in the heart of defense by Ian Evatt but is expected to be available. On-loan Polish striker Bartosz Slusarski is again rated doubtful having missed the past two games with an ankle injury. Michael Flynn is expected to keep his place in the side at the expense of David Fox but midfielder Keith Southern (ankle) is likely to miss out again. Grayson in-form side have won two and drawn one of their last three games.
Cardiff boss Dave Jones is worrying about the fitness of Kevin McNaughton and Stephen McPhail. Defender McNaughton and midfielder McPhail picked up knocks to the knee and hamstring respectively in the 4-1 victory over Colchester at the weekend but are expected to recover in time to make the trip. Last time the Bluebirds came away with all three points from Blackpool was November 1968 and their bid to break their Bloomfield Road curse will not be aided by the absence of Robbie Fowler. The former Liverpool striker is still a week away from full fitness as he recovers from his hip injury while long-term absentee. Riccardo Scimeca returned to full training on Monday following his groin operation and could be back in contention next week.
Pick: Cardiff (+0.25)
Blackpool (18th) will host Cardiff (17th) at Bloomfield Road, as both teams have the same 23 points, with one less game played than the majority in the League Championship. Both teams are almost comparable in their latest 5 game performance, with Blackpool 2W-1D-2L, and Cardiff 2W-2D-1L.
Blackpool boss Simon Grayson will check on the fitness of Michael Jackson ahead of the home clash. Skipper Jackson was forced off after 65 minutes of Saturday 1-0 win at derby rivals Preston due to a stomach complaint. He was replaced in the heart of defense by Ian Evatt but is expected to be available. On-loan Polish striker Bartosz Slusarski is again rated doubtful having missed the past two games with an ankle injury. Michael Flynn is expected to keep his place in the side at the expense of David Fox but midfielder Keith Southern (ankle) is likely to miss out again. Grayson in-form side have won two and drawn one of their last three games.
Cardiff boss Dave Jones is worrying about the fitness of Kevin McNaughton and Stephen McPhail. Defender McNaughton and midfielder McPhail picked up knocks to the knee and hamstring respectively in the 4-1 victory over Colchester at the weekend but are expected to recover in time to make the trip. Last time the Bluebirds came away with all three points from Blackpool was November 1968 and their bid to break their Bloomfield Road curse will not be aided by the absence of Robbie Fowler. The former Liverpool striker is still a week away from full fitness as he recovers from his hip injury while long-term absentee. Riccardo Scimeca returned to full training on Monday following his groin operation and could be back in contention next week.
Pick: Cardiff (+0.25)