On Saturday 2nd April 2022, 13th-placed Blackpool take on ninth-placed Nottingham Forest in the EFL Championship. In the reverse fixture back in October 2021, Nottingham came out as 2-1 victors with goals from Brennan Johnson and Lewis Grabban. Coming into this match, Blackpool drew goalless with Sheffield United, and Nottingham Forest won 3-1 against Queens Park Rangers.
Blackpool come into this game having drawn with Sheffield United 0-0. This result leaves Blackpool with a record of 14 wins, 10 draws, 13 losses, and a goal difference of +1. xGA predicted Blackpool to concede 49 goals so far this season, but they have shipped only 41 times – an overachievement that sees them closer to the promotion play-off spots than to the relegation zone.
Blackpool have two players who have scored eight goals this season and two more players who have scored seven times this season. This shows that Blackpool have not relied on one man to score all the goals, yet not even a single player has hit double figures this season. Blackpool have generally done well inside the six-yard box, scoring more than missing.
Luke Garbutt is the most successful threat creator for Blackpool this season from open play as well as set-pieces. Ryan Wintie is the second-most successful threat creator for the team. No Blackpool player has more than one assist to his name. This explains the lack of creativity that plagues Blackpool.
Nottingham Forest come into this fixture with a 3-1 win at home against Queens Park Rangers (QPR). Djed Spence, Ryan Yates, and Brennan Johnson scored for Nottingham Forest. This win leaves Nottingham with a record of 16 wins, 10 draws and losses each. xGA predicted Nottingham Forest to let in 42 goals this season, but they have leaked only 35 goals, meaning Nottingham Forest are only three points from the promotion play-off spots. What’s more, they have a few games in hand.
Nottingham Forest have performed well in defense, ranking third in goals against. Only Fulham and Bournemouth have conceded fewer goals this campaign. In attack though, Nottingham Forest rank in the 65th percentile or lower in eight categories, including goals per 90, xG per 90, assists per 90, and xA per 90, to name a few.
This match sees two mid-table teams who are closer to the promotion play-off spots take on each other. Both teams will be hoping to win most games for a chance to contest the promotion play-offs in May.
