Both seeking to hit the ground running in English League One, Blackpool and Stevenage will do battle at Bloomfield Road on Saturday afternoon.
Neither team managed to pull up any trees in last season’s third tier, with Blackpool placing 9th, while Stevenage ended the campaign in 14th spot.
Under the guidance of experienced manager Steve Bruce, the Seasiders will be hoping to make a push for a play-off place at the very least this time around.
The Blackpool boss has been busy over the close season, most notably bringing in George Honeyman from Millwall, while striker Niall Ennis has joined the club on a permanent basis after impressing on loan last season.
As for Stevenage, they will have been satisfied to have avoided a dose of second season syndrome by securing a comfortable mid-table finish last term.
Another season of consolidation is perhaps the best the Boro fans can hope for again this time around.
How the bookies view it: Seasiders to make waves
Blackpool come into their opening league game of the season as even-money (1/1) favourites on Boylesports and that price holds plenty of appeal given that Stevenage came away empty-handed from three of their final five away games last term.
The visitors are as big as 13/5 with Boylesports to emerge from this encounter victorious while a share of the Bloomfield Road spoils is trading at 12/5 with the same firm.
Head to head: History favours the hosts
Somewhat surprisingly, the two clubs have previously crossed paths on just six occasions. Blackpool have banked maximum points from four of those encounters, including a 3-1 success away from home in April of this year.
Players to watch: Niall to notch?
The aforementioned Niall Ennis netted seven goals across a 19-game loan spell for Blackpool during the second half of last season. Therefore, the 26-year old forward looks worthy of consideration for an anytime strike here at 9/4 with Boylesports.
Dan Kemp hit 10 goals for Stevenage in English League One last season. With that in mind, the Boro midfielder looks overpriced to make the net bulge on Saturday at 9/2 on Boylesports.
Predicted line-ups
Albie Morgan, CJ Hamilton and Tom Bloxham will all miss Blackpool’s opening game of the season due to injury.
Jake Young is a slight doubt for Stevenage after being forced off with an injury in last week's friendly fixture with MK Dons.
Blackpool: Peacock-Farrell; Casey, Horsfall, Ihiekwe; Lyons, Honeyman, Evans, Brown, Coulson; Ennis, Fletcher
Stevenage: Ashby-Hammond; James-Wildin, Goode, Piergianni, Butler; Houghton, White; Roberts, Kemp, Campbell; Reid
Anything else catch the eye?
A minimum of two Blackpool team goals merits consideration on Saturday afternoon at 21/20 with Boylesports.
This selection would have been a winning one in six of the Seasiders’ final 10 home games of last season.
It’s also worth remembering that Blackpool banged in three goals against Stevenage away from home at the tail end of the previous campaign.
GambleAware