Can Blackpool resurgence bring success to Tangerines’ backers?

You might have been forgiven for thinking Blackpool’s League Two promotion hopes had more-or-less evaporated following a run of one win in 11 games beginning on New Year’s Eve.

But having now well-and-truly returned to form, the Tangerines odds have dropped and their chances risen dramatically.

So, will they come good on promotion?

Well, they look good to make the cut, for starters. With the likes of Exeter City, Luton Town and Carlisle United floundering, sixth-placed Blackpool are likely to extend their currently modest gap over the chasing pack.

Especially so when you look at the remaining fixtures for Gary Bowyer’s side, who face three of the bottom five – Cheltenham Town, Notts County and Leyton Orient – in their final trio of games.

Blackpool head into the business end of the season with the division’s best record over the last six games – picking up a momentous 16 points from 18 on offer. And they’re one of only three sides in the entire EFL to have gone through the last nine games unbeaten.

And perhaps most heartening of all for fans of the Seasiders, is the fact it’s been a team effort. Unlike promotion rivals Stevenage or Luton Town, who have been heavily reliant on Matty Godden and Danny Hylton respectively, Blackpool offer a threat throughout the squad.

The likes of Kyle Vassell and Brad Potts are both on double figures in this league campaign, while Mark Cullen is hitting his stride up front, and youngster Bright Osayi-Samuel has proved impossible to handle – as goalscorer and creator – at his best.

But while their young talents are continuing to impress, Bowyer’s ranks also contain a number of players with prior promotion experience – something which could just make the difference in getting the Tangerines over the line.

Eddie Nolan, Jamille Matt, Armand Gnanduillet and Colin Daniel have all featured in promotion-winning sides since 2013, while Jim McAlister has won promotion with three different clubs in a distinguished career.

That all means the 4/1 on Blackpool winning promotion looks well worth a bet. But the biggest winners will be those who backed the Tangerines before their current resurgence – with the Lancashire outfit’s odds having been as long as 14/1 at the end of February.

We think there’s a good chance the Seasiders will begin next season in League One, and they can take another step towards promotion on Saturday, with 12/5 on offer for Bowyer’s side to win at Luton Town.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing