Blackpool v Oxford predictions: Tangerines can seal their place at Wembley

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Blackpool v Oxford United in the League One playoff semi-final second leg on Friday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Football & Main Event, 7.45pm Friday

Best bet

Blackpool
1pt 11-8 Hills

Team news

Blackpool
Daniel Gretarsson (shoulder) is ruled out and Luke Garbutt, Sulley Kaikai and Grant Ward are injury doubts.

Oxford
Sam Long (hamstring) missed the first leg and Sam Winnall and Cameron Brannagan are doubts after being forced off the pitch on Tuesday.

Match preview

Blackpool hold the record for the most EFL playoff promotions – achieving the feat five times - and can cruise through to the League One final by defeating Oxford at Bloomfield Road.

The Seasiders finished the regular season with four successive victories and were superb at the Kassam Stadium on Tuesday as they clinched a 3-0 success.

It would take a remarkable turnaround for Blackpool to miss out on a trip to Wembley but their manager Neil Critchley was keen to remind his players that the job is only half finished.

If avoiding complacency is key for Blackpool, a lack of belief could be a major problem for Oxford, who have given themselves a mountain to climb.

Oxford have produced some rampant away performances this season – winning 4-1 at Accrington, 5-1 at Burton and 6-0 at Crewe – but it will take a huge effort to wipe out a three-goal deficit against a Blackpool side who have conceded just two goals in their last nine games.

Scoring first on Friday looks an absolute must for Oxford, who need to restore some self-belief and place a few seeds of doubt into the opposition camp.

But Oxford manager Karl Robinson has to be very careful about how he goes about chasing the game and his selection is complicated by injuries to influential midfielder Cameron Brannagan and centre-forward Sam Winnall, who failed to finish the first leg.

Brannagan has been the heartbeat of Oxford's midfield and his absence could leave United even more unbalanced and susceptible to Blackpool counter-attacks.

Blackpool's task is far simpler. They have no need to force the pace and can pick and choose the perfect moments to try to kill off the tie.

They have a few injury problems to contend with after left-back Luke Garbutt limped off in the first leg, joining talented wingers CJ Hamilton and Sulley Kaikai in the treatment room.

But Blackpool's squad strength has allowed them to cope with injury crises far worse than the present situation and there should be no slip in standards as they continue to push for promotion.

They have triumphed five times in a row for the second time this season and their winning streak looks set to continue.

Key stat

Blackpool have won their last five matches.

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