Saturday's game is as much about two managers under pressure as it is about two teams desperate for three points. Both managers have their excuses but in the cut throat world of football only results could save them. Whilst Riga will point to a bad summer, a bad Chairman and a bad start, Adkins will play the injury card in his defence. He's had a number of key players missing which could be the reason for their recent form which has seen them without a win in six games.
The four games between the two international breaks were never going to be easy and with only Reading away and Ipswich at home to come, no points would make for an uncomfortable two week break for Riga. Whilst Blackpool haven't managed to put any points on the board in the last two games, remarkably a win on Saturday could take them off the bottom and, depending on results elsewhere, within a couple of points of getting out of the bottom three. However, on the other side of that Riga's side are two points behind Bolton in 23rd place and if that run continues then they could be set adrift.
Whilst the three goals conceded at Huddersfield could have arguably been avoided with more strength in depth in defence, there was enough from the first half against Derby to see that if the team perform to their true potential that they can achieve some results. There are positive signs. Resolute defending, set pieces improving and a good work rate. However, there are clearly issues both in terms of ideas pushing forward and getting players in the box. Little surprise that Blackpool are the lowest scorers in the league whilst there's half a dozen sides with a worse defensive record (including Saturday's opponents). Until Riga works on the side's lack of goals it's difficult to see how things will change.
Riga has revealed that Cubero and Joan Oriol will still both miss out meaning another re-jig in the back four and a midfield which has been the real weakness in the last two games. The two obvious positions to change would be Lundstram and Orlandi, neither of whom excelled on Tuesday, but then if Riga started with the same XI at the Madjeski Stadium, it would be the first time he'd done this all season and could pay dividends. Danny Guthrie and Glenn Murray could return for Reading who have lost their last two games 3-0.
Blackpool need a boost going in to the final international break before the New Year and if they get 3 points on Saturday, it'll be at a ground they have so far failed to win at.