With matchday two of the 2020-21 League One campaign just over 24 hours away, we take a look this weekend’s opponents – Blackpool.
The Tangerines had a tough start to the season, travelling to newly promoted Plymouth Argyle.
Their 642-mile round journey did not yield any opening day points, as an early goal from Argyle’s Luke Jephcott undone Neil Critchley’s side.
Blackpool will host the Town in their 17,338-capacity home ground Bloomfield Road, which has been chosen as being one of only ten stadiums in the country to host 1000 fans in the return of the Fans Pilot Scheme.
The hosts will sport their traditional orange home kit for the fixture with white shorts and orange socks.
Town will be up against a familiar face in former number nine, Jerry Yates who signed for the Seasiders from Rochdale in July.
Yates played a pivotal role in Town’s promotion as champions of League Two last season, scoring 14 goals and one assist in 35 appearances. Town will also be up against Keshi Anderson who also signed for Blackpool in July.
It will be the first domestic meeting between the sides since 2016, when Swindon beat Blackpool 3-2 with Nicky Ajose netting a hat-trick for the Reds.
There have been 36 meetings in League football between the two clubs with Swindon victorious in 12 of those, while Blackpool have only managed to get the upper hand on seven occasions – there have also been 17 draws between the two sides so expect another close contest.
Interestingly, between 17th August 2002 and 17th December 2005, neither Blackpool nor Swindon secured the three points over one another, with the spoils being shared in all eight matches in League One and Two.
On the topic of stale mates, both sides have an equal record over each other in the last five fixtures between the two clubs.
In the last five meetings, there has been one win for both clubs and three draws:
- 20th February 2016: Swindon Town 3-2 Blackpool
- 3rd October 2015: Blackpool 1-0 Swindon Town
- 17th December 2005: Swindon Town 0-0 Blackpool
- 20th August 2005: Blackpool 0-0 Swindon Town
- 15th January 2005: Swindon Town 2-2 Blackpool
Swindon represent a second consecutive League match against a promoted club for Blackpool and will be going into the game while riding on the wave of momentum from last Saturday’s 3-1 victory against Rochdale.
