Blackpool vs Walsall Predictions

After a poor run of results around the turn of the year, Blackpool have regathered momentum over the last few weeks. Terry McPhillips’ men are now unbeaten in four, two of which they’ve won, while they go into this home match having kept a clean sheet in three of their last four in League One.

Blackpool could only manage a draw in front of their own fans last time out, but their performance certainly merited more. The Seasiders created considerably more than their visitors, so much so that they really ought to have won, as the fact that they emerged with a +1.09 expected goal difference. Not winning on that occasion was a disappointment, though a pleasing performance will leave the hosts feeling confident ahead of taking on weak opposition.

However, while their performance last time out was a pleasing one offensively, Blackpool did look a tad shaky at the back, despite the fact that their opponents didn’t create much. The Seasiders have kept just one clean sheet in their last five and since they’ve shipped expected-goals against figures of 1.06, 0.94, 1.53, 2.2 and 1.46. Such numbers aren’t appalling, but they don’t exactly scream defensive solidity. Fortunately, the hosts tend to create more than they give away at home, but nevertheless, they do need to tighten up at the back.

Walsall are not the best attacking team in League One, but they can get involved offensively, even on the road. The Saddlers have scored at least once in each of their last four away matches, while they’re averaging a respectable 1.36 expected goals for on their travels. Unfortunately, where they stumble all too often is at the back, particularly on their travels. Dean Keates’ men have been breached in all but one of their last six travelling matches, as well as in all but three of their 15 this season. Moreover, they’re surrendering an average of 1.61 expected goals, which tells us that they’re not exactly good at preventing their opponents from creating goal-scoring opportunities.

When we consider the fact that neither Blackpool nor Walsall, who’ve seen at least three goals hit the net in each of their last seven on the road, have looked particularly sharp at the back in their recent respective home and away matches, it’s easy to feel that ‘Over 2.5 Goals’ is a viable bet. Add in the fact that both offer a reasonable amount going forward and it’s easy to feel that there’s value to be had by supporting a relatively high-scoring game at the current prices.