Our prediction for this Championship match:
Following a heavy 4-0 loss to Middlesbrough, Preston will look to give fans some cheer when they take on Blackpool on Saturday afternoon. The Lilywhites are seven points behind the playoffs berth, meaning that they face a must-win situation against Blackpool. Greg Cunningham limped off with injury in the last league match, with the defender joining forward Emil Riis Jakobsen in the recovery room. Andrew Hughes is likely to replace Cunningham in the starting XI, while Bambo Diaby is banned for the match.
The Seasiders, on the other hand, are eager to escape the relegation zone, but given their poor display in a 4-1 loss to Coventry City, we believe that there is a big value in betting on the hosts. Jordan Thorniley suffered an injury against the Sky Blues, with Australia international Kenneth Dougall likely to step up. The likes of Gary Madine, Marvin Ekpiteta, Tom Trybull, and Shayne Lavery miss out with injuries as well.
Highlighted Player (Robbie Brady):
Robbie Brady is an Irish footballer who plays for Norwich City as a winger, but he is capable of playing at left back as well. Brady began his youth career at St. Kevin’s Boys, where he was spotted by Manchester United scouts. In 2008 he joined the Old Trafford outfit at age 16.
He played for Manchester United U-18 team, but he did not make his debut for the senior team. The Irish footballer played for Hull City on loan in the 2011/2012 and the 2012/2013 Championship campaigns and in January, 2013 he signed a permanent deal with the Tigers for an undisclosed fee. Robbie Brady made his Republic of Ireland debut on 8 September, 2012, in a 4-1 win over Oman and it has to be noted that he scored one goal and provided two assists for his teammates in the victory over the Asian team.
He represented the Boys in Green at the 2016 European Championship finals and he scored the winner against Italy that helped the team make it to the knockout stages of the showpiece tournament.
Highlighted Team (Blackpool):
Blackpool FC are a professional English club based in Blackpool, Lancashire. Considering that Blackpool is a seaside town, it is no surprise they are nicknamed the Seasiders. Founded back in 1887, the club play their home matches at Bloomfield Road, which can hold up to 17,338 spectators. In the 2009/2010 season Blackpool secured promotion to the Premier League, but they were not competitive at this level, suffering relegation to the Championship the following season.
The club’s biggest success, though, came in 1953 when they defeated Bolton Wanderers 4-3 in the FA Cup final. Blackpool are well known for their orange shirts, but the dominant colour of their away kit is white. Preston are considered the club’s biggest rivals, with the two teams facing each other in the West Lancashire derby.
Charlie Adam, who played for Liverpool and has 26 caps for Scotland national team, is regarded as one of the club’s most notable players.