FA Cup | Second Round

Dec 1, 2024 at 1pm UK

Bloomfield Road (Blackpool, Lancashire)

Blackpoolvs.Birmingham

Match preview

After a 3-0 win against relegation-threatened Burton Albion at Bloomfield Road on 28 September, Blackpool went on an eight-game winless run in League One. They broke that streak on Tuesday night, beating Bristol Rovers 2-0.

Blackpool were lucky to get through the first half, with Gasmen defender Bryant Bilongo scoring an own goal. The visitors' lead was doubled in the second half by midfielder Lee Evans, who held his nerve from the penalty spot.

Even though they got a much-needed win last time out, Blackpool are still down in 16th place in the League One standings. Many supporters and pundits alike think the club should be challenging for at least a top-six finish this season under Bruce.

For now, let's focus on the FA Cup. The Tangerines had a pretty easy first-round match at home against League Two Gillingham at the start of November. Their 23-year-old midfielder Sonny Carey had a great game and scored two goals at Priestfield Stadium, which means they're going to play Birmingham in the second round.

After a run of three straight losses in League One, third-tier title favourites Birmingham City showed resilience in a wet and windy Devon on Tuesday night. Goals from Tomoki Iwata and Jay Stansfield either side of half-time were enough to beat Exeter City.

Even though Blues got the three points against the Grecians, they're still out of the top two in League One because of the amazing form of Wycombe Wanderers and newly-promoted Wrexham. The former got their tenth straight home win against Mansfield Town earlier in the week.

Birmingham are in the first round of the FA Cup for the first time in three decades. They avoided a potential slip-up at Sutton United in November, when Willum Willumsson's fifth goal of the season secured safe passage into the second round.

The Blues haven't had much luck on their trips to Bloomfield Road lately. They were beaten 6-1 by the Tangerines during the 2021-22 season, and Troy Deeney apologised to the Bluenoses after the game.

Recent Performance

Blackpool FA Cup form:W

Blackpool form (all competitions):DLWDLW

Birmingham City FA Cup form:W

Birmingham City form (all competitions):DWWDLW

Team News

Blackpool boss Bruce could be tempted to continue with a centre-back pairing of Oliver Casey and Odel Offiah after keeping a clean sheet at Bristol Rovers earlier in the week.

That said, there'll probably be a few changes for the FA Cup tie for the hosts, with the likes of Ashley Fletcher and Jordan Rhodes looking to get promoted from the bench.

It looks like Birmingham will make some changes for their trip to the North West this weekend, which means Willumsson, Christoph Klarer and Paik Seung-ho should get a well-deserved break.

The Blues are still without Emil Hansson and Scott Wright, so it looks like Ayumu Yokoyama will be starting on the flanks.

It looks like club-record signing Stansfield will be sitting this one out, with Scotland international Lyndon Dykes likely to be given a chance to show what he can do up front.

Possible starting lineup

Blackpool possible starting lineup:

O'Donnell; Offiah, Gabriel, Casey, Coulson; Finnigan, Evans, Carey, Embleton; Ballard, Rhodes

Birmingham City possible starting lineup:

Peacock-Farrell; Laird, Sanderson, Davies, Cochrane; Leonard, Gardner-Hickman; Yokoyama, Harris, May; Dykes