Albion looking for return to home comforts against Blackpool

Ask any club coming off the back of two away defeats who they would like to face.

Ask any club coming off the back of two away defeats who they would like to face in their next match and 99 out of 100 would opt for a struggling team at home.

The fixture list, then, looks like it has been as kind as possible to Sami Hyypiä and Brighton and Hove Albion, with the Seagulls set to go head-to-head with lowly Blackpool at the Amex tomorrow afternoon (Saturday).

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Fresh from a pair of defeats on the road at Brentford and then Ipswich Town, the Seagulls find themselves in need of a win to thrust them back up the Championship table and in among the promotion-chasers.

Blackpool, on the other hand, are just desperate for any signs the off-the-field shenanigans that have plunged the club into disarray are being put to bed.

The Tangerines arrive on the south coast with a single point to show from their opening seven games and their manager, Jose Riga, has enjoyed a decidedly frosty relationship with controversial chairman Karl Oyston.

Riga retains the backing of the overwhelming majority of supporters despite the shaky start to the latest campaign. And earlier this week there were at least some signs of a thawing in relations, with Riga and Oyston said to have held a no-holds-barred clear-the-air meeting. It comes after Oyston reportedly approached current Burton Albion manager Gary Rowett to discuss the possibility of taking over at Blackpool.

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Blackpool's only point this season came in their home game with Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier this month, although they only narrowly lost to Watford in the week, going down to a Matej Vydra penalty in the second half.

They have only managed three goals in the league this season despite boasting forward line options which include Ishmael Miller, Nile Ranger and Nathan Delfouneso '“ all of whom have Premier League experience.

Andrea Orlandi, released by the Seagulls in the summer despite being a crowd favourite, has been used as the creative force in a three-pronged line behind a single striker. The attacking midfielder sat out Blackpool's midweek game but will be hoping to make the squad for the trip to Sussex.

Other notable names include the talented David Perkins and defensive-midfielder John Lundstram, both of whom have the potential to disrupt Brighton's passing game.

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Seagulls boss Sami Hyypiä has some tough decisions to make ahead of tomorrow's game.

He shuffled his pack for the midweep trip to Ipswich and is likely to make further changes tomorrow.

João Teixeira should return after being rested at Portman Road, most likely in place of the more defensive-minded Rohan Ince. Kazenga Lua Lua could be unleashed from the start, while two of Sam Baldock, Craig Mackail-Smith and Adrian Colunga are anticipated to get the nod. Bruno and Joe Bennett should continue at full-back.