Tottenham Hotspur can climb up to third in the Premier League with victory away to Blackpool.
Seasiders eye home improvement as visitors target third spot
Tottenham Hotspur can climb up to third in the Premier League with victory away to a Blackpool side in need of the points for different reasons.
Harry Redknapp has stated it would be a 'miracle' if Spurs qualify for the UEFA Champions League for a second year in a row, but success at Bloomfield Road would see his team leapfrog Manchester City in the table.
Blackpool, meanwhile, have not win in their last six matches, losing five, and currently have the worst home record in the division.
With just 12 points taken from 12 games on the coast, the Seasiders' home form is a stark contrast to their away record, with Tottenham one of only three clubs to have won more matches on their travels.
Ian Holloway is confident that his team can survive in the top flight this season providing results at home start to mirror those away from Bloomfield Road.
Goals should certainly be on the cards on Tuesday evening as Blackpool have scored in every home game this season while also failing to keep a single clean sheet.
The FA Cup ensured neither team was in action at the weekend, so Holloway's squad will be raring to go for the crucial encounter despite the Seasiders having several injury concerns.
Blackpool news
Midfielder Elliot Grandin, who had to be substituted early on in the Seasiders' 1-1 draw with Aston Villa, is waiting to learn the full extent of his hamstring injury.
Stephen Crainey will be absent again due to his ankle problem, while Brett Ormerod (groin) and Gary Taylor-Fletcher (hamstring) are also carrying knocks.
With Paul Rachubka (knee) sidelined, Matt Gilks still working his way back to fitness and Holloway's attempts to sign a goalkeeper on an emergency loan so far proving fruitless, youngster Chris Kettings could be on the bench as back-up to Richard Kingson for a second successive game.
Striker Sergei Kornilenko is still a week away from being ready for first-team action, and although fellow January recruit Salaheddine Sbai is the right physical shape to play, Holloway would rather bring him into the side when Grandin is available to help him communicate.
Charlie Adam was a deadline day target for Spurs and the influential midfielder will be hoping to show Redknapp what he missed out on.
Spurs news
Spurs enjoyed an impressive 1-0 win away to AC Milan in the Champions League a week ago, but Redknapp will have to make changes from the team which shone in the San Siro.
The most notable absentee will be Rafael van der Vaart, who has been ruled out of the game due to a calf complaint.
However, Luka Modric appeared as a substitute in Milan after a recent appendix operation and the Croatian schemer is likely to come back into the starting line-up.
Modric's compatriot Vedran Corluka is out after suffering an injury following a two-footed challenge from Mathieu Flamini, while Jonathan Woodgate picked up an adductor muscle injury on his first appearance in 15 months.
Younes Kaboul, Tom Huddlestone, Ledley King and Welsh flyer Gareth Bale are also sidelined, but Jermaine Jenas is available after the midfielder sat out the Milan win due to suspension.
Redknapp has challenged his strikers to start scoring more regularly, so must decide whether Milan match-winner Peter Crouch retains his place or Jermain Defoe or Roman Pavlyuchenko are recalled.
Possible starting XIs
Blackpool: Kingson, Baptiste, Cathcart, Evatt, Carney, Vaughan, Reid, Adam, Varney, Harewood, Campbell.
Tottenham: Gomes, Hutton, Dawson, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Palacios, Jenas, Modric, Pienaar, Crouch.
