Blackpool vs Stevenage Predictions

• Blackpool failed to win 14 of their last 19 home league games last season
• Stevenage avoided defeat in 10 of their last 16 away League One matches
• Boro beat MK Dons in their last pre-season friendly while Blackpool struggled in a 1-1 draw with Doncaster

Stevenage can keep Seasiders at bay

Blackpool are among the ante-post promotion fancies in League One but Steve Bruce’s side could have their work cut out against Stevenage when they kick off the campaign at Bloomfield Road on Saturday.

Bruce turned the Seasiders from mid-table no-hopers into play-off contenders last season and the veteran boss has now had a pre-season and a transfer window to mould his squad.

However, the loss of Rob Apter  — who scored a hat-trick when these two sides last met — came as an unexpected blow. Blackpool lacked a cutting edge on Saturday when an awful goalkeeping blunder gave them their only goal in a 1-1 friendly draw against Doncaster.

Reid and Kemp remain Boro’s main men

Meanwhile, Boro were beating MK Dons 2-1 at home and playing some pretty effective football. Alex Revell’s side finished 14th last term, five places below Blackpool, but kept hold of their best player this summer.

Attacking midfielder Dan Kemp was on the scoresheet in Boro’s win against the Dons, but he has tended to do most damage at home. Instead, look for pacy attacker Jamie Reid to exploit any gaps in Blackpool’s defence on Saturday as Stevenage bid to avoid defeat for the fourth successive time at Bloomfield Road.