Blackpool will look to continue their positive momentum as they face Play-Off rivals Doncaster Rovers at Bloomfield Road

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Neil Critchley’s Seasiders pulled off a league double over Portsmouth for the first time in more than 50 years to put down a statement in their bid for a Play-Off place.

Jerry Yates’ late solo effort made the different at Fratton Park in what was a composed and professional display from the Tangerines, giving them back to back victories ahead of this fixture.

Doncaster, on the other hand, are winless in four games, being convincingly swept aside by Fleetwood and Sunderland conceding seven goals in the process.

Alongside those lacklustre performances they lost out to Accrington at the Keepmoat 1-0, but will take solace in coming back from 3-1 down to draw with third-placed Hull City.

For the hosts, the squad that went to Portsmouth are all available for selection for this one on Tuesday night. Although, out with that there was bad news for star defender Marvin Ekpiteta who looks to be a long term injury after scan results came back following his injury against Rochdale.

The visitors will also see a clean bill of health from the side that dramatically clawed back a point against the Tigers, and they will be hopeful that this will bring a momentum shift and confidence heading to Bloomfield Road where Blackpool have not lost since mid-October.

Critchley will see this as another chance to put down a marker against another top side, with the Seasiders boasting a great record against the best in the division so far this season with wins against Peterborough, Hull and Portsmouth behind them.

Blackpool still hold two games in hand on those in the Play-Off places and three on those just above them in the table and wins in those games will see them one point off Sunderland in sixth position, so it is vital that the momentum carries into this one.

Despite injuries to key players such as Daniel Gretarsson, CJ Hamilton, Ekpiteta and Gary Madine, the Tangerines have faired well in recent weeks with their style and identity growing week upon week, given the turnaround of 19 new signings in the summer.

The reverse fixture between the sides saw a goal fest in Yorkshire with the Seasiders’ 2-0 lead quickly evaporated as Darren Moore’s men staged a remarkable come back to see them run out 3-2 victors.

Since then, the defensive fragility that plagued so many of Blackpool’s early performances has well and truly vanished, even with the injuries and consistent makeshift backlines, they have only conceded two or more goals once in their last six league games.

There is no doubt that Doncaster are missing their central midfield hub in Ben Whiteman following his January move to Preston North End.

Many saw their control and composure in midfield as the heart of what has made them a promotion threat this season and without someone of the quality of Whiteman they were bound to become more shaky in this regard without him.

Yet, they still have elements of quality in their squad who can try to fill in the gap that the midfielder’s departure has left them in.

Madger Gomes and John Bostock have both been key figures since the turn of the year in ensuring a complete collapse is not evident.

Whilst Omar Bogle offers a forward goal threat against any side in this division, with Taylor Richards backing him up in the attacking midfield slot to avoid an isolated figure up top.

This is a season-defining game for the hosts, with such a positive momentum following their exploits against Kenny Jackett’s side, it is vital for them that they keep in touching distance with their competitors and start to rack up a consecutive run of victories.

They are the in-form side in the league right now, with Doncaster somewhat tailing in the opposite direction, it will be deemed the perfect time to play Moore’s side, but they cannot be underestimated.

What is for sure is that it will showcase two talented sides playing football the right way in a division that can be wrongly-stereotyped as having a direct, old school style to its play.

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