Stoke v Blackpool - Match Preview

Blackpool travel to Stoke in the 3rd Round of the Carling Cup looking to extend their brilliant start to the season and claim another Premiership scalp.

Ian Holloway's men will be looking to progress to the last 16 of the competition, but his depleted side will be very much up against it versus a side with an imperious home record.

Holloway is expected to name as many changes as possible for the game, with the focus very much on Saturday's home clash with Peterborough.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis is expected to name a vastly changed side from the one that drew against Bolton at the weekend, but despite that, the Potters surely go into tomorrow's game as big favourites.

Will the lack of pressure to get a result play into 'Pool's hands like it did v Wigan? I guess we'll know at around this time tomorrow night.

Rory Delap believes that Stoke can win this season's competition, and as such, will take tomorrow night's game very seriously:

'It's a chance for us to try and win something,' Delap told BBC Radio Stoke.

'Realistically we're not going to win the Premier League, so it's the FA Cup and the Carling Cup we're looking at.'

Tony Pulis is set to ring the changes for tomorrow night's clash, whilst still fielding a strong side.

Uruguayan midfielder Diego Arismendi could get the nod, and expect to see Turkish superstar Tuncay Sanli to get a start.

The signing of the enigmatic Turkish forward from Middlesbrough last month was testament to the progress made by the Potters in recent times.

Sanli truly is Premier League quality, and on his day, he oozes class and can torment even the best defences.

It will be interesting to see how he fits into Stoke's system... if he clicks, then our defence could be in for a busy night.

Expect changes. Gilks, Martin, Edwards, Clarke, Bangura and maybe even Eastham will come into the side you would expect.

With Stephen Crainey looking short of his best, this is a big chance for Martin to stake a claim for a start.

This is the first time the two sides have ever met in the League Cup.

Blackpool v Peterborough
Saturday 26th September, 3pm

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