Crystal Palace v Blackpool preview: Eagles to assess Christian Benteke
Tuesday 23 August 2016 19:31, UK
Crystal Palace will assess Christian Benteke's condition before deciding whether to hand the £27m striker a debut against Blackpool in the EFL Cup.
Benteke completed his move to Selhurst Park from Liverpool over the weekend but is short of match fitness.
Boss Alan Pardew could also give a debut to goalkeeper Steve Mandanda, who joined from Marseille over the summer.
Pre-match stats
Palace have never lost a League Cup match against Blackpool (W2 D1), winning the most recent meeting 3-1 in October 2003
However, since that defeat, Blackpool have lost just one of their 10 meetings with the Eagles in all competitions (W3 D6)
Alan Pardew's men have won their last three League Cup games lower tiered opposition, netting 11 goals in the process
Blackpool have progressed from three of their last five League Cup ties against Premier League opposition
