Blackpool face Mansfield Town at Bloomfield Road this Saturday in a League One fixture that offers both sides a chance to improve their league positions. The Seasiders, who sit 17th with 11 points from 10 games, will look to build on their morale-boosting 2-0 win over Milton Keynes Dons on Tuesday. Mansfield Town, currently 11th, arrive unbeaten in five league games and have sold over 1,500 tickets for the away trip.

Ian Evatt's side have struggled for consistency, with just one league win since late August, a 4-0 victory over Peterborough. Their recent form reads WLLDL, leaving them 11 points adrift of leaders Stockport County. The midweek win, with goals from Karoy Anderson and Dale Taylor, provided a welcome lift ahead of this home fixture. Blackpool's next match after this will be away at Charlton Athletic on Tuesday, 29 October.

Team news and injuries

Blackpool will be without Elliott Hewitt, who is a doubt after missing the trip to AFC Wimbledon. Mansfield manager Nigel Clough confirmed his side will be missing Baily Cargill and Lucas Akins, both sidelined with hamstring injuries, while experienced forward David McGoldrick is also expected to be absent. George Abbott is being managed for match fitness after returning from injury and played 45 minutes in Mansfield's 3-0 win at Wimbledon.

The head-to-head record favours Blackpool, who have won 19 of the 44 meetings between the sides, with 10 wins for Mansfield and 15 draws. The last encounter at Bloomfield Road ended in a 1-0 victory for the hosts in February, with Niall Ennis scoring the decisive goal.

Ticket and travel details

Mansfield Town supporters must collect any advance tickets from the Stags ticket office before 4pm on Friday, 23 October. A limited number of unsold tickets will be available on match-day next to the away turnstiles at Bloomfield Road. The Stags Supporters’ Association is running family-friendly coach travel, departing One Call Stadium at 10am, with payment cash only on the day.

For those not travelling, the match will be available via iFollow Stags. Monthly or annual subscribers receive free audio commentary, while a UK audio pass costs £2.50 and an international video match pass is priced at £10. Commentary will be provided by Martin Shaw and Dean Foulkes. The referee for the fixture is Ollie Yates, officiating his sixth League One match of the season, assisted by Matt Archibald and Samuel Clayton with Zac Kennard-Kettle as fourth official.

Blackpool's immediate focus is on securing back-to-back wins for the first time this season to climb the standings. The post-match 'illuminations drive-through' for travelling fans is scheduled to commence at 6.30pm.

More detail at mansfieldtown.net