Huddersfield (home)
- Huddersfield have been inconsistent during the Manning reign, dropping points in tight games more often than not, but their ability to grind out results has kept them in the promotion hunt and they currently sit sixth in League One with around 45 points.
- Manning has established a structure-first, possession-based approach that the Terriers should be able to control in phases and counter-press effectively with their double pivot.
- Alfie May and Murray Wallace bring experience and leadership to the club, with Wallace the anchor at the back and May providing hold-up play and set-piece threat.
- Ben Wiles and Lynden Gooch provide the creativity in behind and from the flanks and both have been regular goal and assist contributors in transition and dead-ball situations.
Blackpool (away)
- The Lancashire club have been great for goals recently, but they remain prone to the odd defensive meltdown and are more suited to playing on the front foot where they can press the ball and attack in transition.
- The back three set-up, which Evatt favours, allows Blackpool to build up patiently, but it also allows them to press high up the field and use their wing-backs to get forward quickly.
- Albie Morgan, Lee Evans and CJ Hamilton should provide the best creativity from midfield and out wide and Niall Ennis is a livewire in the front two who scored a brace in Blackpool’s 3-2 win over Huddersfield in August 2025.
Head-to-Head
- Blackpool have won three of the last five head-to-heads in League One.
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Recent meetings:
- Blackpool 3-2 Huddersfield - August 2025.
- Huddersfield 0-2 Blackpool - September 2024.
Key Players
- Alfie May - provides hold-up play and set-piece threat.
- Murray Wallace - the anchor at the back.
- Ben Wiles - creativity from midfield and dead-ball contributions.
- Lynden Gooch - creativity from the flanks and goal/assist contributions.
- Albie Morgan - midfield creativity.
- Lee Evans - wide creativity.
- CJ Hamilton - attacking width and creativity.
- Niall Ennis - livewire forward who scored a brace in the August 2025 meeting.
Betting Insights
- The hosts are 1.62 favourites for Saturday’s game, with Blackpool 5.3 underdogs and the draw 3.75.
- Both Teams to Score at 1.83 looks a fair bet, as both sides have the attacking quality to score and defensive weaknesses that are being exploited.
Prediction
- We’re sticking with Huddersfield to edge it, given they are higher in the league and have home advantage.
- Back the hosts to edge it 1-0 or 2-1 in a tough game, although Blackpool’s away form and forward options mean they could spring a surprise.
