Having finished just three points shy of the playoffs in the 2023-24 season, Blackpool has regressed this year, making it impossible for them to challenge for a top-six finish in their remaining two matches at Bloomfield Road.

After a recent three-game winning streak, it seemed the Seasiders might have a slim chance at the playoffs, but with only one win in their last four games, they are stuck in midtable, facing a third consecutive season at this level.

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Earning just four points from their latest four matches, Steve Bruce's team sits in ninth in the League One table, 11 points behind sixth-placed Leyton Orient, with only six points left to play for as the 2024-25 season ends.

Hampering their playoff aspirations, Blackpool has secured only six wins in 21 home games this season, drawing an impressive 11 times, establishing them as the division's draw specialists.

Blackpool is winless in their last two home encounters with Birmingham but delivered a stunning 6-1 victory over them in April 2022 during a Championship match.

Just under a year after their relegation from the Championship, Birmingham City celebrated a triumphant day in the Second City on Sunday, clinching the League One title before 28,000 fans, with owner Tom Wagner promising brighter futures.

Amid the celebrations, Birmingham delivered a strong 4-0 win over Mansfield Town, with goals from Willum Willumsson, Keshi Anderson, Kieran Dowell, and Tomoki Iwata.

Extending their unbeaten streak to 11 games in League One, Chris Davies's team has amassed 105 points, setting a new record for the most points in a single season, and eyeing Reading's EFL record of 106.

After an unbeaten home campaign, Birmingham has two away games left before a break, facing Blackpool on Wednesday and then already-relegated Cambridge United on Saturday.

Birmingham boasts a four-game winning streak away in League One, though they suffered a 2-0 loss to Peterborough United in the EFL Trophy final at Wembley earlier this month.

Blackpool's Lee Evans, who scored the equalizer against Wigan Athletic, is likely to start on Wednesday.

Ashley Fletcher, with 11 goals, will aim to trouble Birmingham's solid defense in place of Jordan Rhodes.

Birmingham's manager Chris Davies might rotate his squad as they chase more records, potentially benching Jay Stansfield and Paik Seung-ho.

Willumsson, who scored and assisted against Mansfield, is in fine form and expected to start again.

Birmingham will be without Lee Buchanan, Lyndon Dykes, Emil Hansson, and Scott Wright for the remainder of the season.

Blackpool possible starting lineup:

Tyrer; Offiah, Casey, Baggott, Husband; Apter, Evans, Morgan, Hamilton; Bloxham, Fletcher

Birmingham City possible starting lineup:

Allsop; Laird, Hanley, Davies, Cochrane; Leonard, Paik, Gardner-Hickman, Harris, Willumsson; May