PREVIEW: Luton Town v Blackpool

It's definitely a case of a job well done for Blackpool this season as they secured their status in the Championship some time ago now, which for the majority of newly-promoted teams, is the aim back in August.

An excellent home record has been the main reason behind their position just below mid-table, but some 22 points clear of the bottom three, with 11 wins at Bloomfield Road, the joint third highest tally in the division, only bettered by Fulham, Nottingham Forest, Millwall, Blackburn and Middlesbrough.

They continued to show their form in front of their own fans, hammering Birmingham 6-1 on Monday, to end a run of five games without a win that was threatening to take some of the gloss off an excellent first season back in the second tier since 2015.

Away from home, it has been a slightly different story though, Blackpool managing just four victories, the fourth lowest in the division, with only Barnsley, Derby and Peterborough having managed less.

Three of those were registered before October had finished as well, with triumphs at Middlesbrough, Reading and Sheffield United.

Since that victory at the Blades though, Critchley's men have won just one of their next 12 on the road, although they haven't been pushovers either, with five draws, including holding Swansea, Fulham and Blackburn.

However, after beating Stoke in March, they have taken just one point from their last nine, to sit 16th in the table.

Boss Neil Critchley is looking to now end the season strongly as with four matches still to play, the Tangerines could still finish in a top 12 position.

He told the club's official website: “We're coming into it on the back of a good victory, but we're well aware of the task that's up against us.

“We want a good end to the season and finish as high as we can in the table.

“We've got four games to go which is 12 points to fight for, and we'll be doing everything we can to put in a good performance and get a pleasing result."

Off the pitch, Critchley is already starting to put plans in place for the new season with defender Marvin Ekpiteta and striker Gary Madine agreeing new contracts to stay with the club.

Team news: Where does you start for the Hatters?

Keeper James Shea is being assessed after suffering a knee injury against Cardiff on Monday, as Town haven't yet brought in an emergency loan signing, despite only having Harry Isted and youth teamer Jameson Horlick available.

Defender James Bree is another who is being monitored after his ankle injury in Wales, while midfielder Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu is definitely out, along with Gabe Osho and Glen Rea.

Sonny Bradley is available after suspension, while there will be late decisions made over the quartet of Jordan Clark, Luke Berry, Cameron Jerome and Fred Onyedinma.

Blackpool can welcome back Luke Garbutt having recovered from a bout of illness, but Jordan Gabriel, Dujon Sterling and Kevin Stewart are all out, as is Sonny Carey after he fractured a metatarsal on Boxing Day.

Dan Grimshaw is unlikely to be risked, with Grant Ward (Achilles) sidelined as well.

Top scorers: Hatters: Elijah Adebayo (16). Tangerines: Shayne Lavery (10).

Man in the middle: John Brooks – has taken 16 games this season, including three Premier League clashes, with 55 yellows and one red, that coming in his last match between Bristol City and Peterborough.

Took one Town game last term, the 1-0 defeat at fierce rivals Watford in September, while had four Luton fixtures the season before, 1-1 draws with both Preston and Leeds, plus the 3-2 defeat at Fulham and 2-1 home reverse against Leeds.

Also officiated Luton's 1-1 League Two draw at Cambridge in March 2018, sending off James Collins for two bookings and the 3-0 win over Hartlepool in February 2017.

Assistants referees are Nick Hopton and Matthew Jones, with the fourth official Trevor Kettle

In charge: Neil Critchley – 43-year-old, who had a brief playing career with Crewe Alexandra in 1999 and then went to Leigh RMI, but retired aged just 24 as he went into coaching.

Started at his former side Crewe, going on to be appointed joint academy director in 2007, before joining Liverpool as U18s coach in 2013.

Also served as U23s manager at Anfield, while took over as Reds boss for two first team cup fixtures with Jurgen Klopp and the senior squad away to play in the FIFA Club World Cup.

Became a head coach in his own right in March 2020, taking over at Blackpool on a three-and-a-half-year contract, leading the Tangerines to the Championship via the play-offs in his first full season, earning a four year extension in November.