Blackpool have been dropping like a stone

The big win against Doncaster last time out for AFCB will only be seen as a turning point if they can back it up with a good performance away at Bloomfield Road. Blackpool have been driving in reverse for several weeks and Barry Ferguson will still be looking for first gear when the Cherries arrive for this seaside clash. Blackpool's defence has been anything but rock solid and the Cherries will fancy their chances of coming away with the points if Blackpool are not on their game.

It was bad enough for Blackpool when Paul Ince went on a non-winning run, but the pressure has continued to mount on Barry Ferguson since he took over in January with the Tangerines just having picked up just three points in their last 10 games and they are now sitting in 19th place, eight points above the relegation spaces. With Charlton having three games in hand it is possible that Blackpool could be even closer to the danger area in coming weeks especially if they slip up against AFCB.

So Blackpool will be playing for their lives on Saturday and the Cherries will have to be aware of the threat and to manage it while looking to put away another Championship side with some talented players. Blackpool may have lost Tom Ince in January but they still have the experienced Ricardo Fuller leading the line, while Michael Chopra is warming the bench. AFCB won't have to face Nathan Tyson though who has been loaned out to Notts County for a month.

Ricardo Fuller is likely to lead the line for Blackpool as he
did when the teams met last at Dean Court.

Such names might have worried this Bournemouth side in the past, but they are a different outfit now. It is exciting for them to go away to such ground and to get a result. Watford beat Blackpool 4-0 last weekend and the onus for Ferguson will be firstly to try and keep a clean sheet against a Bournemouth side that have found their cutting edge. He needs some help, so it is no surprise that he has enlisted the services of Eric Black as an advisor.

While Blackpool have earned credible draws against Forest and Ipswich they have been beaten by the likes of Birmingham, Barnsley and Middlesbrough in recent months and that kind of form is spelling danger signs. Only Yeovil, Charlton and Doncaster have scored less goals than Blackpool. Their last win was back in November, some 17 games ago against Sheffield Wednesday! It hasn't been a pleasant time for Blackpool fans and with Barry Ferguson not plying his trade on the pitch I think they are in real danger, despite being only four points behind the Cherries.

It is important though that AFCB play with as much passion and fight as a Blackpool side looking to find their lost form. Nothing is ever given to you and AFCB have to match the opposition in every area before they can try and win the game. UTCIAD!

You can back the team and win by placing a bet on Free Bet Negotiator.

Blackpool Home Form:
LLDDL

AFCB Away Form:
WDLDL

Catch up on the Rival Lines tab to hear John Campbell of Blackpool FC Blog give his thoughts ahead of the Blackpool v AFCB match. Find out what he puts Blackpool's current slide in form down to.