Blackpool will want to make another statement against promotion hopefuls Peterborough at Bloomfield Road

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Blackpool, off the back of an impressive 2-0 win at Oxford, could enter the playoff places if they pull off another victory against title challengers Peterborough at Bloomfield Road.

The Seasiders won the reverse fixture at the Weston Homes Stadium last year as Gary Madine placed home the deciding goal in a 2-1 victory.

Blackpool have picked up the most points in the league over the last 25 games, with Tuesday’s opponents Peterborough right behind them in that tally.

This is the ultimate battle between the divisions two best form sides of recent months and it is a massive one for Neil Critchley’s side as they could enter the playoff places with games still in hand over their rivals.

James Husband missed their triumph over Oxford through injury as well as Daniel Gretarsson whose eagerly anticipated return was halted for another game as his partner had a baby.

With that in mind, Gretarsson is expected to come back into the fold but an impressive performance from stand-in Jordan Thorniley last time out will give Critchley food for thought in the centre back position.

Not least because Dan Ballard, who scored the second at the Kassam Stadium, is absent as he heads on international duty with Northern Ireland.

The Seasiders have had to contend with a number of key absentees throughout the season with CJ Hamilton, Gary Madine and Marvin Ekpiteta all missing at the moment, but the level of consistency that has shone through all campaign has no signs of stopping despite those losses.

As for the visitors, they needed a last minute equaliser from Jonson Clarke-Harris in order to avoid a shock defeat away at Spotland to Rochdale, having conceded twice in the last five minutes themselves in an entertaining 3-3 draw.

Clarke-Harris has been vital for Darren Ferguson’s side after losing Ivan Toney to Brentford in the summer.

His 22 goals in 35 games has solidified him as the division’s leading scorer whilst Sammie Szmodics and Siriki Dembele have both helped out with 10 and seven goals respectively.

Although Clarke-Harris has been the man taking the headlines, the likes of Mark Beevers and Frankie Kent have given Posh a platform to build on from the back with their impressive, composed displays in defence keeping a tight ship.

Alongside the important central defenders, Dan Butler has been a key figure at left wing back in Peterborough’s 3-4-2-1 system. Four assists so far for him this campaign has allowed Szmodics and co more of a license to be more of a goal threat alongside their creative duties.

Despite such a flying season for Posh they have stumbled in recent weeks picking up just one win in their last five and it was a huge one against Portsmouth.

Blackpool will take hope from Posh’s recent struggles and will look to exploit any element of weakness which they did so clinically in the reverse fixture.

Neil Critchley’s side have adapted their approach after the loss of Madine, now opting for a 4-2-3-1 with Elliot Embleton becoming an increasingly pivotal figure in the back end of the campaign.

Sullay Kaikai has been given more of a license to roam in and around the attacking midfield areas also and that has paid dividends with his last two performances some of the best of the season for him in a relatively uninspiring campaign for the ex-Palace winger.

Blackpool have always seemed to step up whenever they have faced a top side this season and with the confidence flowing at the moment, and home comforts becoming a bigger factor each game the unbeaten run continues, this could be another step towards a playoff finish.

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