SETTING THE SCENE:
Simon Grayson’s play off chasing Seasiders are the final ‘superwhites’ opposition for 2019, as Blackpool face Tranmere this Sunday (29/12/19).
Micky Mellon will be looking to show his former employees what they’re missing as his Merseyside outfit aim to get back to winning ways after a Boxing Day defeat at Burton. Blackpool also lost on Boxing Day, Accrington Stanley picking up all three points at Bloomfield Road.
SETTING THE TEAM:
This weekends fixture sees a return to action for Corey Blackett-Taylor, as the forward comes back from suspension.
Scott Davies, Ellis Gumbs, Mark Ellis, Ishmael Miller, Harvey Gilmour and Ollie Banks all remain out and on the treatment table.
Kane Wilson and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson are also doubtful.
TEAM PREDICTION:
4-3-3 (left side to right)
Aaron Chapman, Liam Ridehalgh, Manny Monthe, Sid Nelson, Jake Caprice, David Perkins, Neill Danns, Connor Jennings, Corey-Blackett-Taylor, Morgan Ferrier, Kieron Morris.
ONE TO WATCH, WE’VE SAW HIM BEFORE:
Former Tranmere forward Armand Gnanduillet is the visitors leading goalscorer after a prolific start to the campaign.
Clubs he has played for: Le Havre, Poissy, Chesterfield, Tranmere (2 goals in 4 games according to Wikipedia in the 2014 campaign), Oxford United, Stevenage, Leyton Orient, Baroka and Blackpool.
The 27-year-old Frenchman helped Blackpool clinch promotion from Sky Bet League 2 in May 2017, through the play offs. So far this season, he has scored 13 times for Blackpool.
MATCH OFFICIALS:
Tom Nield is the man in black this Sunday afternoon. This season, he has officiated 17 matches awarding 51 yellow cards and 2 red. Tom Nield officiated the home goalscoring encounter with Peterborough United, earlier this season.
Nield will be assisted by Steven Rushton and Anthony Moore.
PAST MEETINGS:
Tranmere have a successful record against Blackpool : winning 20, drawing 6 and losing 10. Both clubs first met on Boxing Day 1978 but haven’t played each other since the 2006/07 campaign.
DID YOU KNOW?
Tranmere’s veteran midfielder, Neill Danns, won promotion with Blackpool in 2017 in a loan spell away from Bury with former Rovers striker Gnanduillet.