Blackpool – Millwall

The home team are on the brink of relegation and will fight to win

It is no coincidence that the game between these opponents in the penultimate round of the English Championship is scheduled to take place on a separate day and has been designated by the organizers as the kick-off. Blackpool and Millwall are not direct rivals, but have such important tournament goals that they will go into Friday's encounter as if it were their last stand. Blackpool only returned to the English second division last season and have quietly secured a place close to the middle of the standings. Now the Seasiders are on the verge of a return to League One and must rely not only on their own strength but also on luck. Millwall, under the guidance of perpetual Gary Rowett, have finished close to the play-offs for the past three seasons in a row, and this time in the Championship has a realistic chance of making it into the top six and making the play-offs. The bookmakers have identified the visitors as the favourites for the upcoming match, offering odds of 2.15 on their victory. After a dreadful stretch from mid-March to the second decade of April, Blackpool are still determined to fight to retain their place in Championship. Despite everything pointing to the futility of such an endeavour, the Seaside side have won two of their last three fixtures. The team's first 'victim' was direct rival Wigan (1-0), while last Saturday, Blackpool brought home three points from Birmingham. The Seasiders are currently sitting bottom of the table, three points adrift of 21st-placed Huddersfield. Importantly, the Ducks have one more match in hand, so any result on Friday other than a win would be fatal for Blackpool. Millwall are currently in seventh position, with Sunderland in the play-off zone on equal points. Another thing is that Blackburn and West Bromwich are behind the Lions, who could dislodge them from their current position should they win their previously rescheduled fixtures. The capital club were previously firmly in the top six, but have suffered a decline in form at the most crucial time. Losing 16 points from a possible 21 in the last seven rounds could not end well. Blackpool have not lost to Millwall in six home games since 2007. Nor will it lose in the current tournament conditions.