Match Preview: Seasiders v Swansea

The dying embers of Blackpool's playoff hopes could be stoked tonight if they beat Swansea, but only a victory would keep our faint playoff hopes alive.

For many though the playoff dream is over (for me it died a death last Tuesday night v Sheffield United), and it's now a case of getting as many points and finishing as high up the table as we can.

Putting how the table will look after 46 games aside, tonight's game promises to be an interesting one: we've had goals galore recently, whereas Swansea are tighter than Karl Oyston.

Our games against Swansea are normally entertaining, and hopefully tonight will not prove to be an exception to the rule.

'We're looking to the next game and at getting into the top six. If teams above us drop points then great, but it's about the play-offs for us right now.

'We're eight points above seventh so we're probably looking at between ten and twelve points from here on in to make sure we're in the top six at the end.

'Blackpool is a big game now. It's a six-pointer for them and it would have been nice to beat QPR so that we could have extended that gap beforehand, but it's another challenge we look forward to.'

Neal Eardley could be out until the end of the season, and he's joined on the sidelines by DJ Campbell. David Vaughan will have a late fitness test, whilst Stephen Dobbie is ineligible to play against his parent club.

Expect Ben Burgess to get the nod up front (if he's got over the shits) after his goal on Saturday (for which Vital take 100% credit after our poll on him where 54% said that they thought he would score again before the end of the season, 44% said he wouldn't, and 2% said that he'd score an own goal).

Eight games to win himself a new contract, he might just need to produce eight performances akin to his one at Deepdale.

Garry Monk, Andrea Orlandi and Darren Pratley could return, but Ferrie Bodde and Albert Serran are still crocked.

The Swans are aiming to complete the loan signing of defender Dusko Tosic before tonight's game.

The key to Swansea's formation just like Jason Scotland was before him. Getting on now, but the powerhouse striker still has an eye for goal.

Swansea have only ever won once at Bloomfield Road and like us, have only won one of their last five. However, Cardiff are the only side in the top six that they will face between now and May.

We're undefeated in six v Swansea (three wins and three draws), and haven't lost in ten at home against them (four wins, six draws).

Whilst we're unbeaten at home in four, we've only won four of our last sixteen.

We've scored in our last seventeen home games and have only failed to score once at home in the league all season. Swansea though have only conceded 15 goals on the road.

Plymouth away on Saturday

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