It is an all-Championship tie on Wednesday night in the Carabao Cup first round between Blackpool and Middlesbrough. The two clubs got their Championship seasons up and running at the weekend and will hope to translate their league form over to the League Cup.
Blackpool started the season with a 1-1 draw with Bristol City. The Tangerines earned promotion to the Championship from League One via the playoffs last season. Manager Neil Critchley’s aim is to consolidate Blackpool’s position in the league. Anything else will be a bonus.
⬅️ Our @Carabao_Cup campaign gets underway on Wednesday, as @Boro head to Bloomfield Road.Relive some classic action from 2012 over on Tangerine TV.🍊 #UTMP— Blackpool FC (@BlackpoolFC) August 9, 2021
⬅️ Our @Carabao_Cup campaign gets underway on Wednesday, as @Boro head to Bloomfield Road.Relive some classic action from 2012 over on Tangerine TV.🍊 #UTMP
Middlesbrough came from behind to draw 1-1 away at Fulham on matchday 1. The Boro got a late goal from Marc Bola to seal the draw.
Neil Warnock’s side is a dark horse to finish in the top six. The manager will aim to snatch some momentum on Wednesday night in the Carabao Cup.
Critchley doesn’t have any new injuries going into the game and has a nearly full-strength squad to select from. Blackpool have had several players join the squad in the offseason.
Kenny Dougall is back in training following a knock. Kevin Stewart is also nearing full fitness, but is unlikely to play until Blackpool’s massive Championship matchday 2 showdown with Cardiff City.
The team’s defence has been added to with Richard Keogh arriving from Huddersfield, Reece James joining from Doncaster Rovers, Oliver Casey coming from Leeds United, and Callum Connolly signing from Everton.
Blackpool’s Shayne Lavery scored the team’s only goal against Bristol City on matchday 1 of the Championship. By default, he is the club’s leading scorer.
Warnock has seen a number of players come into Middlesbrough in the offseason. Several undisclosed fees were paid for players including defender Josh Wells, forward Uche Ikpeazu, midfielder Matt Crooks, and midfielder Martin Payero.
Middlesbrough’s Anfernee Dijksteel is nearing a return to full fitness. Marcus Browne is ruled out until September with an ACL injury.
Both managers could be influenced to rotate their squads after the short turnaround of matchday 1 in the Championship. The clubs’ aims are to win Premier League promotion. The Championship is a marathon 46-game season. Therefore, some bench players could be selected for Wednesday's game.
These teams have not met since the 2014-15 Championship season. Middlesbrough are unbeaten in their last five matches versus Blackpool. Those games were played six plus years ago. Recent trends are nil between these sides.
Blackpool and Middlesbrough drew their respective Championship fixtures at the weekend. The two rivals could once again experience a stalemate as they meet at Bloomfield Road in the Carabao Cup. Expect over 2.5 goals in an exciting first round tie.