A look back at Blackpool's recent record in opening day fixtures
And it’s fair to say it’s been a bit of a mixed bag.
Since the turn of the Millennium, the Seasiders have lost nine of their 19 opening day fixtures, winning seven and drawing the other three.
The Seasiders’ record was noticeably bad in the early 2000s when they lost six opening day fixtures on the bounce between 2001 and 2006.
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Hide AdTheir 5-0 drubbing at the hands of QPR back in 2003 was a particular lowlight, although they did bounce back with three straight wins.
Pool’s most memorable opening day win of course came in 2010, when the Seasiders enjoyed a 4-0 thrashing of Wigan Athletic on their Premier League debut - momentarily sending them to the top of the table.
Last season’s opener was significant for all the wrong reasons, Gary Bowyer handing in his resignation just two days after Pool drew 0-0 with League One newcomers Wycombe Wanderers at Adams Park.
An encouraging stat for the Seasiders is that, over the last 10 years, Saturday's opponents Bristol Rovers have the worst record of any side in England's top four divisions for opening day fixtures.
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Hide AdThey have claimed just one victory during that time, losing eight and drawing the other.
During the last decade, Blackpool have the 11th best record in England, which puts them above current Champions League holders Liverpool.
Pool’s opening day record:
2000/01 - Blackpool 3-1 Hull City
2001/02 - Blackpool 0-2 Reading
2002/03 - Bristol City 2-0 Blackpool
2003/04 - QPR 5-0 Blackpool
2004/05 - Doncaster Rovers 2-0 Blackpool
2005/06 - Blackpool 1-3 Chesterfield
2006/07 - Brentford 1-0 Blackpool
2007/08 - Leicester City 0-1 Blackpool
2008/09 - Blackpool 0-1 Bristol City
2009/10 - QPR 1-1 Blackpool
2010/11 - Wigan Athletic 0-4 Blackpool
2011/12 - Hull City 0-1 Blackpool
2012/13 - Millwall 0-2 Blackpool
2013/14 - Doncaster Rovers 1-3 Blackpool
2014/15 - Nottingham Forest 2-0 Blackpool
2015/16 - Colchester United 2-2 Blackpool
2016/17 - Blackpool 2-0 Exeter City
2017/18 - Bradford City 2-1 Blackpool
2018/19 - Wycombe Wanderers 0-0 Blackpool