Opponents
City travel to Bloomfield Road to face Blackpool (3pm) in the Championship on Saturday.
The Seasiders are under the guidance of caretaker manager Tony Parkes. The former Blackburn Rovers midfielder took temporary charge on December 23, 2008, following Simon Grayson's decision to take the vacant manager's position at League One side Leeds United.
This is Parkes' seventh time at a caretaker boss, the previous six have all been at Blackburn Rovers, stretching back to 1986 and most recently after Graeme Souness' move to Newcastle United in 2004.
Parkes will be without defenders Ian Evatt, Rob Edwards and leading scorer Ben Burgess.
The teams traded players in the summer with City signing midfielder Wes Hoolahan and goalkeeper Matthew Gilks swapping Carrow Road for Bloomfield Road.
Gilks has been unable to displace current number one and former Manchester United goalkeeper Paul Rachubka between the sticks, making only six appearances this season, deputising in the League Cup and when 'Chubs' was serving a suspension.
Conversely Wes Hoolahan has been a hit for City since his summer arrival and has made 32 appearances in all competitions for the Canaries, netting twice. Having gone 24 games without scoring in a yellow shirt, the Dublin-born playmaker scored back-to-back goals, both at Carrow Road. His first came in the 4-0 win over Barnsley, latching onto Darel Russell's through-ball, rounding Heinz Muller to break the deadlock early in the second half.
His second was an absolutely stunning long-range effort against Southampton. Hoolahan picked up a short free-kick, took aim on his trusty left-foot, and fired an unstoppable effort past Kelvin Davis.
Form Guide
Blackpool currently sit 21st in the Championship, one place and two points outside the relegation zone.
Their home record is worse than their away, with only 17 of their 39 points coming at Bloomfield Road.
On Tuesday night the Seasiders went down 1-0 to Burnley at Bloomfield Road. Left-back Christian Kalvenes popped up with only five minutes remaining in the match to give the Clarets all three points.
That defeat was the latest in a six-match winless run for Tony Parkes' men. Their last win coming on January 31, away to Crystal Palace, DJ Campbell scoring the only goal of the game from the penalty spot after John Oster had upended Roy O'Donovan. The result was made even more impressive following goalkeeper Paul Rachubka's third minute dismissal for a professional foul for Blackpool.
The reverse fixture in August of last year ended in a stalemate at Carrow Road. Ben Burgess put the visitors ahead from the penalty spot ten minutes into the second half after Elliot Omozusi was adjudged to have fouled Adam Hammill. Darel Russell stepped off the bench to head City level on 74 minutes. Dejan Stefanovic met Wes Hoolahan's corner and Russell pounced after the Serbian defender's header was deflected.
Ben Burgess tops Blackpool's goalscoring charts with six goals in 26 league appearances. Current City loanee Alan Gow sits second with five in 17, having spent four months on loan at Bloomfield Road earlier in the season.
Last Time Out
A Dion Dublin brace gave City victory last time out at Bloomfield Road in November 2007. The veteran striker started and finished the scoring, with Pole Bartosz Slusarksi cancelling out Dublin's 30th minute opener. Martin Taylor restored City's lead on 74 minutes with David Marshall pulling off a fantastic vital one-handed save from a certain Wes Hoolahan's spot-kick six minutes later. Dublin wrapped up the scoring and secured the points for City in injury-time.
Blackpool 1, City 3 - November 2007 - Match Report
Head to Head Record since 2000
League and Cup
| Pl |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
| 7 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
17 |
10 |
League and Cup - Bloomfield Road
Can't Make The Game?
Follow the match on canaries.co.uk with 'Kick It Off!', our matchday service or CanariesWorld with full live audio commentary from Bloomfield Road. CanariesWorld is currently available on a 30-day free trial. Alternatively follow it on your mobile with Matchday Live.
*CanariesWorld is an opt-out service.
Match Betting
Match Odds - Blackpool 7/5 - Draw 23/10 - City 15/8
David Mooney to notch on debut 11/4 or 9/1 to open the scoring.
*Odds correct at the time of print.
