Blackpool look the early puntinplay value for the Championship play-off. They qualified thanks to a last day draw at home to Bristol City combined with Swansea's failure to beat Doncaster.
Ian Holloway has done a sensational job with the seasiders this year. Sneaking into sixth spot they have put a great run together winning six and drawing one of their last eight. At home over the last couple of months they have been in great form and this is the reason for the early call. Since a home defeat against Leicester City on the 6th of February Blackpool have played eight home matches. Apart from the draw yesterday and against Palce in March they have won the remaining six matches. Included in the run was a stunning 3-1 victory against Nottingham Forest on the 17th April.
Blackpool established a two nil lead that day and Forest will be concerned that they don't do the same in the first leg of the play-off's. Blackpool sit in second place in the current form table, behind Newcastle, and over the course of the season they have the fourth best home record in the division. By contrast Forest have only the twelfth best away record in the Championship. They have won 70% of their points and scored 70 % of their goals on home turf and their away record since the start of February have been more akin to a side facing relegation than a side chasing promotion. In nine away games since the end of January they have lost seven and drawn two. The draws came against Bristol City and in the final game against Scunthorpe.
Blackpool are strongly fancied to win the first leg at home and could put Forest under pressure for the return. They look value at 2.4 to win the game and we don't think the 5 currently on offer with Ladbrokes will be around come Saturday lunchtime.
