Sky Bet League One

Match date: Saturday 15 November 2025

Local kick-off time: 15:00 Europe/London (GMT, UTC+0).

Venue: Pirelli Stadium, Princess Way, Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, England.

Fixture listing confirms Burton Albion as hosts and Blackpool as visitors in League One Round 16.

Match Preview

The weekend brings a balanced League One clash at the compact and lively Pirelli Stadium as Burton Albion host Blackpool. The Brewers have settled into a disciplined, hard working identity on home soil, while the Seasiders arrive looking to convert recent signs of improvement into consistent points. The setting matters here. Pirelli’s tight sightlines and high energy support often compress games into duel heavy contests where territory and second balls decide momentum. With the kick-off aligned to the traditional 15:00 GMT slot, this has the look of a classic English league meeting with plenty at stake for both camps.

In league context, the table places Burton Albion in mid table and Blackpool in the bottom group ahead of the round, a snapshot that reflects different trendlines. SofaScore’s match hub lists Burton around 15th and Blackpool around 21st going into this fixture window. Those markers underline what each side needs. Burton target clean sheets and controlled pressure at home. Blackpool need to reduce individual errors and carry more threat in away phases.

Burton Albion under Gary Bowyer are pragmatic without being passive. In settled possession they typically show a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 that looks to progress via full backs and inverted wide players before creating cut back lanes. Out of possession they keep a narrow block, invite play outside, then spring counters through the channels. Set plays are an asset, especially near post routines that generate second contacts in the six yard area. Burton’s ability to sustain pressure in the middle third and keep distances short is often key to the Pirelli pattern.

Blackpool arrive with a renewed focus after a turbulent early autumn. The Seasiders have leaned on compactness, quicker vertical passes and targeted deliveries into the box from advanced full back positions. When they are efficient in rest defense, they can force turnovers that lead to quick strikes. The squad has attacking pace and 1v1 ability, but the balance between risk and protection has defined their results to date. Recent coverage around the club has set the backdrop for change and a need for steadier performances.

Key battlegrounds: the half spaces just outside the box and the first pass after regains. If Burton’s midfield screen denies central receptions to Blackpool’s advanced players, the visitors are nudged into earlier crosses that the Brewers tend to handle. If Blackpool can isolate a wide forward against a full back and rotate a runner across the near post, they can create the type of fast, low driven chances that travel well. Transitions will decide much of the attacking value, so second balls and counterpress efficiency are decisive.

H2H relevance points to fine margins. Last season’s meetings finished Blackpool 3-0 Burton Albion at Bloomfield Road and a 1-1 draw in the return at the Pirelli. There was also a heavy EFL Cup win for Blackpool at Burton in August 2024. Those results confirm that when Blackpool control territory they can pull away, but when the game is more even the Brewers are hard to shift.

How it could play: early trades of territory, plenty of aerial duels and restarts, with momentum swinging on the first clear transition. Expect Burton to test the back post on crosses and to draw fouls in advanced areas. Expect Blackpool to seek switches to the far side and quick combinations at the top of the box. Fitness and rotation around the international window always adds variance, but the schedule has both teams ready for a full strength effort on Saturday.

Bottom line: neither side is likely to run away with it, so the first goal has outsized value. If Burton score first, their compact block and set play threat tilt the match toward a home result. If Blackpool open the scoring, their counter lanes could produce a second. The market leans narrowly to the hosts, but a tight scoreline remains the most probable outcome.

TV Broadcast and Livestreams

• United Kingdom and Ireland: Live League One coverage is carried by Sky Sports and its streaming service Sky Sports+ subject to selection. The new five year EFL rights deal from 2024 replaces domestic club streaming. Check Sky Sports listings near kick-off.
• International: Coverage is available via the EFL’s listed broadcast partners in many territories. Where there is no local TV partner, selected fixtures may be available via Sky Sports international partners or local OTT. Always verify in your region.

Note: UK 3pm Saturday games are generally not available domestically unless specifically selected. Opening weekend exceptions do not apply here.

Match Information

Fixture hub and venue references confirm details and local time.

Odds (1X2)

Odds fluctuate. Check your bookmaker close to kick-off.

Form and Head-to-Head

“`

Head-to-Head – recent meetings

H2H summaries and match reports.

“`

Standings Snapshot

Positions per SofaScore match hub before kick-off.

Local Details

Venue profile and address confirmed by multiple sources.

Prediction

Pick: Burton Albion 1-1 Blackpool

Reasoning: Recent H2H points to small margins at the Pirelli, and the market prices are tight with only a slight home lean. Burton’s compact block and restarts usually deliver chances, while Blackpool’s transition play and set piece threat travel well. A cautious opening followed by exchanges after the hour looks likely, so a draw with both teams scoring is a fair forecast.