Blackpool will look to make it four wins in a row as Crewe visit Bloomfield Road

Neil Critchley’s Blackpool are on a mission for the playoff places and with games in hand still to come they will see this game as a vital one for their ambitions

Last time out

For the hosts they ran out resounding winners against an ill-disciplined Charlton at the Valley.

A 25-yard strike from Matty Virtue alongside a penalty-spot brace from Jerry Yates walked Blackpool to their first victory at Charlton since 1976.

Critchley’s men never looked like losing and with two red cards in the end for Lee Bowyer’s side, it was an easy afternoon for a side that are looking increasingly relentless as the run-in approaches.

Last time out the visitors played host to Sunderland AFC as the Railwaymen welcomed the Black Cats to Gresty Road for the first time in nearly 16 years.

Despite the Alex leading 2-0 at the interval, David Artell’s side had to settle for a share of the spoils as two late wonder strikes earnt Lee Johnson’s side a point.

Crewe took the lead on the half hour mark as former Sunderland forward, Mikael Mandron adjusted his body to square a pass across the penalty area for veteran striker, Chris Porter to open the scoring from 10-yards.

Mandron was once again involved eight minutes later as he drove a low and hard cross from the by-line to find midfield maestro, Tom Lowery who converted into the bottom corner.

Meanwhile, Jordan Jones prompted Sunderland’s fight back with just under 15 minutes left of the 90, as he unleashed a 25-yard effort into the far top-right corner.

Chris Maguire completed the Black Cats resurgence with a piece of magic late into injury time, his volley looped across the Alex penalty area before nestling into the far corner, giving Dave Richards no chance between the sticks.

A result that reflected Crewe’s season so far, as the Railwaymen could’ve and really should’ve been out of sight at the interval, but a point meant the Railwaymen remained 11^th in the table.

Ones-to-watch

Crewe midfielder Tom Lowery has picked up two goals and an assist in his last three games for the Reds, the little magician loves to split defences with his vision as well as notching up with a goal here and there.

Jerry Yates has been the main man in recent weeks with the absence of Gary Madine for the Seasiders, and he will look to maintain that positive run of form in this one. His work rate and energy has been matched by his quality in front of goal as the season has gone on.

Season’s so far

Blackpool have been relentless since their poor run of form at the start of the season, sitting 5th in the form guide since November and 2nd in the last six games.

Critchley has had to cope with a number of key injuries and multiple postponements but his side look effective in shape against both top and bottom sides, unbeaten at home since October.

A playoff push is on the lips of many Blackpool supporters and it cannot be argued with given the style of football on show in recent weeks.

 David Artell’s side have enjoyed their return to League One and currently sit 11^th and five points off the play-off places. Likewise, a win for the Railwaymen could see them climb up to 9^th.

Some may say that 11^th is rather a false position for the Alex and that they should be higher up the table based on performances over the season. Creating opportunities from all angles but lacking that clinical edge seems to be the missing piece to their jigsaw.

The Cheshire side’s last three outings have been a true reflection of their season so far, picking up four points from a possible nine despite having some glorious chances to seal all three points in each.

Team News

This game will probably come too soon for Gary Madine and CJ Hamilton, but their returns for Blackpool are not far off with both in full training this week.

Daniel Gretarsson and Keshi Anderson remain long-term absentees.

Crewe Alexandra will continue to be without top goal scorer Oli Finney following his leg fracture away at Shrewsbury Town early last month.

Though, Callum Ainley has returned to training after a lengthy spell on the side-lines but is unlikely to feature as he still looks to regain full fitness.

Head-to-head

 Both sides go into Tuesday evenings encounter with an equal record, as the sides have met on 36 occasions before, enjoying 14 wins each as well as eight draws between them.

The sides last met on 17^th October 2020, as they both had to settle for a share of the spoils, goals from Mikael Mandron and Grant Ward cancelled each other out for a 1-1 draw at The Alexandra Stadium.

Crewe Alexandra haven’t beaten the Seasiders in their previous eight meetings (5L,3D), with their last victory coming in 2004.

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