Lincoln City host Neil Critchley’s Blackpool on Saturday (26th August 2023), after a strong start to the new League One season.
Mark Kennedy’s side return to the LNER Stadium off the back of a hard-fought 1-0 away win at Shrewsbury. The only goal was Ethan Hamilton’s first goal for the Imps since his summer arrival from Accrington Stanley.
City are now unbeaten in their last 4 games in all competitions, not suffering defeat since the opening day of the season at the hands of Bolton Wanderers.
Opposition: Blackpool FC
As for Blackpool, they are yet to taste defeat this season, and have a perfect defensive record. In their opening 4 league encounters, they haven’t conceded a single goal.
However, they have struggled offensively, not scoring at all since the 2-0 win over Burton Albion on the first day of the season. Their previous three results have all been goalless affairs against Exeter, Port Vale and Leyton Orient respectively.
Blackpool are tipped for a promotion back to the Championship, following their relegation last season, so will be looking to keep their unbeaten run going. They are one of three teams in League One not to lose yet, along with Portsmouth and Wigan Athletic.
Team News:
For the Imps, Lewis Montsma remains out for a sustained period of time with an ACL injury.
For Blackpool, a similar story regarding a mostly fit squad, with only Jordan Gabriel and Kyle Joseph unfit.
From the Managers:
Lincoln’s Mark Kennedy: “Its nice to have a home game. It’s a big game with a big opposition, who are an excellent side who have an outstanding young manager.
Blackpool’s Neil Critchley: “It’s a very difficult place to go. They had one of the best home records in the division last season, and they didn’t lose many games. That in itself says they’re hard to beat, and they’ve always got a threat going the other way.”
Head-to-Head:
The last time these sides came up against each other was in the 2020/2021 League One Play-off Final at Wembley, with the Tangerines securing promotion a 2-1 victory. It was current manager Neil Critchley in the dugout that day and he will be looking to repeat the feet.
City’s recent record against Blackpool had been mixed: two wins, one draw and one loss dating back to September 2019.
Played for Both:
There are two former Imps within the ranks of the Tangerines. Callum Connolly had a brief loan spell featuring 15 times but never scoring. Also, Matty Virtue had a successful loan spell for the Imps with Mark Kennedy from Blackpool last season, scoring 4 times in 36 appearances last season.