Blackpool vs Watford Match Preview.
Watford head to Bloomfield Road tomorrow evening to play Blackpool as the Hornets look to bounce back from Saturday’s disappointing defeat to Charlton, where they dominated proceedings and had 14 shots. Charlton only had one shot on target during that match and that was the 3rd minute penalty which was converted by Yonni Bueyns and they managed to grind out a victory. That match was Oscar Garcia’s first match in charge however the Spaniard will miss the game on Tuesday evening, after being admitted to hospital with minor chest cramps.
Watford lie in 4th position in the table whilst Blackpool lie in the relegation zone after 1 draw and 5 defeats in their first 6 games. During the two matches between the two sides last season, Blackpool ran out 1-0 winners at Bloomfield Road in August 2013 thanks to a superb Thomas Ince solo effort. However, with the Tangerines struggling in the table, Watford avenged their narrow defeat in August with a comfortable 4-0 victory at Vicarage Road in March, thanks to doubles from Mathias Ranegie and Troy Deeney.
It has been a turbulent summer up at Bloomfield Road, which has made the club look a laughing stock to everyone outside Blackpool. Discontent between owner Karl Oyston and new manager Jose Riga rumbles on after they came to blows over the summer due to there transfer policy. Oyston seemed to undermine Riga when he made an approach for Burton boss Gary Rowett last week, as rumours surrounding the Belgians future as Blackpool manage remain rife.
With only two weeks to go till the season started, Blackpool only had nine first team players and no goalkeeper. A scramble then unfolded, with the club signing a host of players including goalkeeper Joe Lewis from Cardiff City on loan, powerful striker Ishmael Miller, former Huddersfield Town captain Peter Clarke and Nathan Delfouneso. It could be said that Blackpool’s poor start to the season lie’s well and truly down to the club’s disorganisation in the summer. Most of the players will still be getting used to playing with each other and Riga’s management, so it may be a while yet until we see more positive results for the Tangerines.
However, confidence may have been boosted after the club secured a 0-0 draw with Wolves at the weekend to mark their first point of the season and the club will be looking to build on that result in an attempt to kick start their season.
The danger man for Blackpool, if he starts tomorrow, could be striker Ishmael Miller. Miller always seems to cause the Hornets defence no end of problems and this can be shown through his display at Vicarage Road back in November, when he helped Yeovil beat the Hornets 3-0.
Although they may have made a poor start to the season, it would be wrong to write off Blackpool yet as we all know, anyone can beat anyone in the Sky Bet Championship. The Hornets will have to remain professional and bring there shooting boots with them tomorrow night if they want to come away from Bloomfield Road with 3 points.
Team News.
For Blackpool, Steven Davies, Jacob Mellis and Gary MacKenzie are all out through injury whilst Costa Rican midfielder Jose Miguel Cubero is still waiting for his work permit.
For Watford, Bolton loanee Keith Andrews is out with a calf injury which he sustained in the warm up against Charlton. Fernando Forestieri and Gianni Munari are doubts whilst Bernard Mensah has returned to full training. Gabriel Tamas is available after serving a one match ban.
Predicted Line-ups
Blackpool – Lewis (GK), McMahon ©, Daniels, Clarke, J Oriol, Lundstarm, Perkans, E Oriol, Orlandi, Delfouneso, Ranger.
Watford – Gomes (GK), Tamas, Ekstrand, Angella, Anya, Tozser, Abdi, McGugan, Pudil, Deeney, Ighalo.
Referee – Scott Duncan.