BLACKPOOL v BRISTOL CITY (Championship)
Saturday 1st October 2011 – Kickoff: 1500hrs
Blackpool take on a Bristol City side who are very short on confidence when they meet at Bloomfield Road on Saturday, with the Seasiders keen to build on their good start at home in this campaign.
Ian Holloway’s side have lost just once on home soil so far which was a 0-1 loss to joint leaders Derby County, but have managed wins over Peterborough United and Ipswich Town, along with holding Cardiff City to a 1-1 draw in their last home match.
Blackpool grabbed a late equaliser midweek to share the spoils with Coventry City at the Ricoh Arena, and will be mightily relieved to have saved a point there with Keith Southern popping up in injury time to save them.
At home though, Blackpool are a more steady proposition with a record of 2-1-1 5/3, with veteran striker Kevin Phillips (5 goals) once again proving his goal-machine tag and perhaps more pleasing for Holloway, played the whole 90 minutes at Coventry. He’s backed up by Gary Taylor-Fletcher (3 goals, 1 assist), while Billy Clarke and Stephen Crainey have provided 2 assists apiece.
Travelling Bristol City currently lie second from bottom in the Championship, propped up by Doncaster Rovers, the Robins having won just once so far this season and currently enduring a six match run without a win.
Bristol City’s away record reads 1-1-2 5/7, with their one victory being a surprising 2-1 win at Leicester City back in mid August. Since then, Keith Millen’s men have gained just three points out of a possible 18, and have kept a clean sheet in just two of their last twelve away matches which tells it’s own story I fear.
However, leading the line up front is striker Nicky Maynard (3 goals) and is always a threat to any defence. Alongside him is Brett Pitman (2 goals, 1 assist), and midfielder Albert Adomah (2 goals, 1 assist) along with former Ipswich Town and Sunderland forward Jonathan Stead who was benched against Reading in Bristol’s 2-3 defeat at home to Reading in midweek.
Given Bristol City’s poor away record and current lack of cohesion, I have to go with Ian Holloway’s Blackpool side here at home for a comfortable win – Blackpool to win 3-1.
Main Pick: Blackpool @ 1.81 Pinnacle looks great value
Value Pick: Kevin Phillips to score anytime @ 2.20 bet365
Scoreline Pick: Blackpool 3-1 @ 13.00 bet365
