Blackpool will welcome Stevenage to Bloomfield Road to kick off their new 2025/26 League One campaign on Saturday afternoon. The hosts finished in a respectable ninth place last season, just missing out on a chance to play in the play-offs.
The visitors had to settle for a place in the bottom half of the table in 14th, and will surely have ambitions to try and break into the top half this time around. Nonetheless, this promises to be an exciting affair for both sets of fans as they look forward to the new season ahead.
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Blackpool vs Stevenage prediction: Tangerines to come out on top?
Key stats
- Blackpool come into this clash unbeaten in five games in total in all competitions, winning three of them.
- Stevenage's last two wins in pre-season friendlies ended a four-match winless run in all competitions.
- Blackpool have won four of the previous six H2Hs.
Correct score prediction: Blackpool 2-0 Stevenage
Given that they will be playing at home in front of an enthusiastic crowd, and that they finished higher in the league table last season, we are expecting Blackpool to claim all three points here. With previous H2H results in mind, we are also backing the Tangerines to keep a clean sheet.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Blackpool big favourites with bookmakers
- HOME: 19/20 (1.95) – 51.3%
- DRAW: 5/2 (3.50) – 28.6%
- AWAY: 27/10 (3.70) – 27.0%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
As shown by the implied probabilities, Blackpool are heavily favoured to claim all three points on home soil. A draw is interestingly rated only marginally above a Stevenage away victory in terms of the percentages.
Also, feel free to check out our dedicated Football Betting Tips Today page.
Most recent H2Hs: Blackpool have the better of it
As mentioned before, Blackpool have won four of the last six H2Hs, giving them a psychological advantage heading into this clash. The Tangerines also won the previous meeting 3-1 away from home in the league in April, so certainly have Stevenage's number in this one.
England League 1 18/04/25
Stevenage
Blackpool
England League 1 21/12/24
Blackpool
Stevenage
England League 1 03/02/24
Stevenage
Blackpool
England League 1 14/10/23
Blackpool
Stevenage
England League 2 14/03/17
Blackpool
Stevenage
Blackpool preview: Five injuries threaten to dampen Tangerines
Blackpool have as many as five injuries in the squad to deal with heading into this clash. CJ Hamilton, Albie Morgan, Tom Bloxham, Imray and James Husband are all expected to be missing fort he Tangerines.
Predicted lineup: Peacock-Farrell (GK); Casey, Horsfall, Ihiekwe; Lyons, Honeyman, Evans, Brown, Coulson, Ennis & Fletcher
England League 1 03/05/25
W
Bristol Rovers
1
Blackpool
4
England League 1 30/04/25
L
Birmingham
2
Blackpool
0
England League 1 26/04/25
D
Wigan
1
Blackpool
1
England League 1 21/04/25
L
Wrexham
2
Blackpool
1
England League 1 18/04/25
W
Stevenage
1
Blackpool
3
Stevenage preview: Young has to be assessed
Jake Young has to be assessed for Stevenage after he picked up an injury against MK Dons in a pre-season friendly last time out. Otherwise, the visitors should have a full strength squad to choose from.
Predicted lineup: Ashby-Hammond (GK); James-Wildin, Goode, Piergianni, Butler; Houghton, White; Roberts, Kemp, Campbell & Reid
England League 1 03/05/25
D
Bolton
1
Stevenage
1
England League 1 27/04/25
D
Rotherham
1
Stevenage
1
England League 1 24/04/25
L
Birmingham
1
Stevenage
0
England League 1 21/04/25
W
Bristol Rovers
0
Stevenage
1
England League 1 18/04/25
L
Blackpool
3
Stevenage
1
Player to watch: Ashley Fletcher
Ashley Fletcher was Blackpool's top scorer in the 2024/25 campaign, and was the only player in the squad to reach double figures in League One terms of goals. He will be expected to lead the line once again for the Tangerines, and is certainly a major threat to Stevenage.