Preview: 'Pool v Cardiff

For the first time since the Championship playoff final, Blackpool take on Cardiff tomorrow.

For the punters out there, you can get around 20/1 on the Seasiders to repeat the famous 3-2 scoreline tomorrow at Bloomfield Road.

No doubt there'll be plenty of reminiscing amongst the crowd tomorrow of that famous day in May 2010, but 'Pool manager Ian Holloway will want no distractions as he looks for his side to build on their best start to a league campaign in twenty years.

Cardiff are a very different threat compared to May 2010 and have started the season well under new boss Malky Mackay; 'Pool will have to be at their best to prevent the Bluebirds from extracting a little revenge.

Ian Holloway revealed in his pre-match press conference that the Seasiders nearly signed Rob Earnshaw this summer. However, the experienced Welsh international decided to return to his roots at Cardiff instead:

'I genuinely thought I had him at one stage, but Cardiff outdid us.

'Tomorrow will be tough because Cardiff have always had some good players. To be up there or thereabouts for the last three or four years is no mean achievement.

'Obviously they haven't got Craig Bellamy this year but Kenny Miller and Earnshaw are a threat whatever happens and they always will be. So it will be interesting for all of us to see how we get on.

'It is another test, but we will keep trying to play football the right way, that is all that matters to me.

'It will bring back some nice memories of Wembley - not that I need reminding, I will never forget that day.

'I'd love to have that moment again at the end of this season, but who knows.

'Let's just see what the next few months bring and let's enjoy the ride along the way. Tomorrow will be nothing like Wembley. It will just be one very tough game and hopefully we'll play our usual good football and do ourselves justice.'

Neal Eardley and Stephen Crainey are both available again after recovering from a broken hand and illness respectively.

Crainey is expected to return to the starting XI immediately at the expense of Matt Hill, but Eardley may have to make do with a place on the bench.

Barry Ferguson is expected to be fit despite picking up a hamstring injury in last weekend's win over Ipswich.

Famously scored the winning goal at Wembley; can the veteran frontman defy the critics once again and make the 'Pool faithful 'Glad All Over'?

New signing Ben Turner is not expected to be risked tomorrow after only recently recovering from ten months out on the sidelines.

After missing out on him in the summer, it would be sod's law if Earnshaw scored against us tomorrow.

Scored twice against us last time out, in the famous playoff semi final win at Forest.

Our record v Cardiff:

P65

W32

D19

L14

The Bluebirds are undefeated in seven league games against us however (W4, D3), with three of the last four games resulting in 1-1 draws.

Cardiff are undefeated in eight away league matches - W4, D4.

Portsmouth v Blackpool

Saturday 24th September, 3pm

Vital F1 Prediction League - Join now for Monaco