- Blackpool finished 2025-26 with back-to-back victories over Wycombe (1-0) and Reading, so their momentum is strong
- Wycombe finished the previous season with a 3-2 win over Rotherham, so they showed fight and firepower
- The last three meetings between these two sides have all been very close - 1-0, 1-1 and 0-0 in a needle game
Bloomfield could be a battleground again
Blackpool FC and Wycombe Wanderers arrive at League One's opening weekend with another tight Bloomfield Road scrap looking likely.
Ian Evatt's Seasiders have been priced up at 37/25 to win, while Wanderers have been given a similar chance at 33/20 with the draw at 49/20, which suggests the market is treating it as a coin flip rather than a favourite. The home side have a slight edge, but they could easily come unstuck if the momentum of last season carries over.
Blackpool finished 2025-26 with a pair of impressive victories over Wycombe and Reading, which has clearly helped build momentum into the start of the new campaign. Evatt's men are a possession team who like to play with a back three and push the wing-backs forward, although that does leave some space behind them if their high press is beaten.
Blackpool have a proven formula and it is built around Ashley Fletcher, Niall Ennis and Tom Bloxham, who all contributed to the goal threat of the side and finished games off with a real knack. Leighton Clarkson provides the set-piece sparkle and his delivery has already helped create decisive moments against Wycombe.
Chess game could be on the cards
Matt Bloomfield's men are set up to be a tough nut to crack with a compact mid-block and plenty of discipline. They don't give the ball away too often and can punish opponents if they get caught out by a fast break.
They have enough counter attack to be dangerous on Saturday, especially if Nathan Lowe is fit again as he provides the focal point and makes defences stretch to cover him. But Wycombe's form looks just as mixed as Blackpool's, although there is enough quality across the pitch to suggest they could score.
Jack Grimmer is the big-game player for the Wycombe players with a combination of leadership, defensive quality and big-game moments to his credit. Fred Onyedinma is the edge they need on the wings, so Wanderers can get dangerous on the counter if the game opens up.
Back a Tangerines edge
But the game probably won't be that open because Matt Bloomfield's compact structure should make them a difficult side to play through and this could be a classic chess game of possession versus block.
Evatt's side are more likely to edge it due to their shot-stopper Bailey Peacock-Farrell, whose shot-stopping could be decisive. Under 2.5 goals at 17/20 fits a low-margin contest where one big chance could swing the momentum, while Both Teams to Score - Yes at 7/10 looks a smart alternative with the tighter 1/1 BTTS-No price perhaps more fitting of the likely cagey battle.
The last three games between these clubs have been very tight and Blackpool have made Bloomfield Road a tough place to visit for Wycombe in domestic competitions. So we are taking the hosts to edge it 1-0 on Saturday, although 1-1 looks the major danger to a home win in correct score bets.
