Watford v Blackpool preview

Team news for Good Friday's Championship clash between Watford and Blackpool at Vicarage Road.

Last Updated: 05/04/12 at 15:13   

Iwelumo: Set to lead Hornets line again

Iwelumo: Set to lead Hornets line again

Adrian Mariappa will again watch from the stands as Watford host Blackpool on Good Friday.

The centre-back has missed the club's last three matches with an ankle injury and will continue to sit out against the Seasiders, although manager Sean Dyche remains hopeful he will play again this season.

Otherwise, the Hornets boss has a full-strength squad to select from as his side aim to extend their seven-match unbeaten run and continue their late surge for a play-off place.

Chris Iwelumo will keep his place in attack having marked his recall against Leeds last weekend with a brace to secure an impressive 2-0 victory at Elland Road.

Dyche is unlikely to make any changes to his starting line-up at a sell-out Vicarage Road for a game which, if Watford were to win, would see them move within three points of their opponents.

Blackpool's veteran striker Kevin Phillips will face a late fitness test.

The Seasiders' top scorer missed out on last weekend's 3-0 win over former club Southampton due to ankle and hip soreness.

Phillips might have to be content with a place on the bench at Vicarage Road - where he started his professional career in 1994 - as Gary Taylor-Fletcher and Stephen Dobbie combined well in attack against the npower Championship leaders, the latter bagging a brace on his first start since returning to Blackpool on loan from Swansea last month.

Fellow forward Roman Bednar will remain on the sidelines and the West Brom loanee could miss the rest of the season with damaged knee ligaments.

Captain Barry Ferguson and left-back Stephen Crainey were rested against the Saints and return to manager Ian Holloway's plans.

Blackpool head into the Easter weekend in the play-off places, lying fifth ahead of Brighton and Middlesbrough on goal difference.

Football365 Facebook Fan Page

The Football365 fan page is a great place to meet like minded people, have football related discussions and make new friends.

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Championship Fixtures

Saturday, 03 August 2013
15:00
Barnsley v Wigan  
Birmingham v Watford  
Bournemth v Charlton  
Burnley v Bolton  
Derby v Blackburn  
Doncaster v Blackpool  
Leeds v Brighton  
Middlesbro' v Leicester  
Millwall v Yeovil  
N Forest v Huddersfld  

npower Championship

Position Team P GD PTS
1 Barnsley 0 0 0
2 Birmingham 0 0 0
3 Blackburn 0 0 0
4 Blackpool 0 0 0
5 Bolton 0 0 0
6 Bournemth 0 0 0
7 Brighton 0 0 0
8 Burnley 0 0 0
9 Charlton 0 0 0
10 Derby 0 0 0
11 Doncaster 0 0 0
12 Huddersfld 0 0 0
13 Ipswich 0 0 0
14 Leeds 0 0 0
15 Leicester 0 0 0
16 Middlesbro' 0 0 0
17 Millwall 0 0 0
18 N Forest 0 0 0
19 QPR 0 0 0
20 Reading 0 0 0
21 Sheff Wed 0 0 0
22 Watford 0 0 0
23 Wigan 0 0 0
24 Yeovil 0 0 0

Updated Tue, 18 Jun 2013

Footer 365

Luis Suarez should not be blinded by Liverpool loyalty, says Jamie Carragher

Jamie Carragher says Luis Suarez should not be blinded by loyalty to Liverpool if Real Madrid make a big-money offer.

Confederations Cup: Brazil on verge of semi-finals after 2-0 win over Mexico

Neymar all but fired Brazil to the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup as they defeated Mexico 2-0.

Transfer news: Feyenoord say Lex Immers will stay following links to Cardiff City

Feyenoord have moved to dismiss reports that midfielder Lex Immers could be on his way to Cardiff City.

Mail Box

'Bye Sunderland' & More Fixtures Reaction

The afternoon mailbox has plenty more views on the fixture list. Plus, a sublime piece of skill from Emile Heskey, more cool 'ballers and dull football matches...

One Guy's Genuinely Irked About Fixtures

A Gooner in the Mailbox seems to genuinely think that the world/fixture computer is against his team. Sigh. That, plus more cool footballers & Mike Ashley: Supervillain...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved