Saturday 19 May 2012

West Ham, Blackpool Fight it Out for Final EPL Spot

The Hammers found their way to Wembley following a convincing semi-final two-leg triumph over Cardiff City, while Ian Holloway's side also sailed past Birmingham City to clinch a spot in the final.


After Southampton and Reading, one of these sides would aim to qualify to play in the Premier League next season.


West Ham were on course to earn automatic promotion in the earlier stages of the season but a slump in results meant that the London side would have to do it the hard way, which will make Sam Allardyce's side more determined to return to the Premier League.


The Hammers did the double over the Seasiders in the season courtesy of a 4-0 win at Upton Park and a 4-1 victory at Bloomfield Road, but Blackpool head into Saturday's clash on the back of a nine-game unbeaten run.


There are no fresh injuries for Holloway, which suggests that Barry Ferguson and Angel Martinez will line the midfield with Gary Taylor-Fletcher and Stephen Dobbie likely to start up front.


Meanwhile, West Ham's Jack Collison should be fit to play this weekend, despite being carried off in the second leg against Cardiff with a dislocated shoulder. Allardyce is likely to choose Carlton Cole andRicardo Vaz Te to lead the line for the Hammers. 

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