Blackpool will be hoping they can adjust well to life back in the Championship, after winning promotion from League One last term. 

The Tangerines finished third in the third tier standings, and beat Lincoln City in the League One play-off final at Wembley, and will now be preparing for the upcoming league campaign in the 2021/22 season.

It's going to be a potentially tricky season ahead for Neil Critchley's side, as they look to avoid relegation straight back into the third tier of English football.

We take a look at what Blackpool's starting XI could look like against Bristol City on the opening day of the 2021/22 campaign.

Find out which player starts us off between the posts, on the next page....

Chris Maxwell is likely to retain his place in the starting XI, having captained Blackpool in the 2020/21 season.

The shot-stopper has been with the club since 2020, and made 46 league appearances in their promotion-winning campaign last term, whilst keeping 22 clean sheets in the process.

The 30-year-old will be eager to be given an opportunity to impress in the Championship once again, having played for Preston North End at that level earlier in his career.

If the Welshman can build on a number of strong performances last term, then Blackpool might surprise a few teams with their defensive resilience.

Jordan Gabriel could be the first new signing in the starting XI for Blackpool next season, with it being claimed by journalist Alan Nixon that the Tangerines are looking to sign him on a permanent basis.

The full-back made 35 appearances whilst on loan at Bloomfield Road from Nottingham Forest, and he played his part in the club's promotion-winning campaign last term.

Gabriel is also attracting interest from Portsmouth this summer though, and Blackpool will know that they have to push ahead in their pursuit of the defender.

Gabriel is contracted with Nottingham Forest until the summer of 2024, and it'll be interesting to see whether they're willing to cash-in on him.

With Ollie Turton departing in favour of a move to Huddersfield Town, it makes sense for Blackpool to target a permanent move for Gabriel this summer.

Callum Connolly is next up, with the defender signing for Blackpool in the summer transfer window.

The centre-back spent last year's campaign on loan with League One side Ipswich Town, and evidently made a good impression whilst with the Tractor Boys.

He's made the move from Everton to Bloomfield Road, and is likely to replace Daniel Ballard in the starting XI for their season opener against Bristol City in August.

Ballard is looking as though he's set to sign for Championship side Millwall on loan, despite Blackpool previously being keen on reaching an agreement to land his signature.

James Husband is the next central defender in the team, with the 27-year-old being a regular for Blackpool in their promotion-winning campaign last term.

He made 30 league appearances for the Tangerines, and caught the eye with a number of strong performances in the heart of the defence.

Husband has been with Blackpool since 2020, and will be hoping he can continue to impress moving into the Championship, where he'll certainly be tested more than he was in the 2020/21 season in League One.

But with Oliver Casey arriving during the summer, he'll have tough competition for his starting spot in the Blackpool team.

Luke Garbutt is likely to retain his place in the starting XI for Blackpool heading into the new Championship.

The former Everton full-back made 34 league appearances in total for the club last term, and chipped in with four goals and five assists from left-back, which certainly makes for good reading.

He'll be hoping he can have an impact at both ends of the pitch next season, although it wouldn't come as a surprise to see Blackpool setting up more defensively next term, as they adjust to life back in the second tier.

Barring any injuries in pre-season, the left-back will fancy his chances of keeping his place in the starting XI for their season opener against Bristol City at Ashton Gate.

Kevin Stewart is the first central midfielder in this team, with the former Liverpool man playing an important role for Niel Critchley's side last season, as they clinched promotion into the second tier of English football.

The midfielder made 16 league appearances in all competitions for the Tangerines, and will be hoping he can go from strength to strength with Blackpool moving forwards, as they look to avoid relegation back into League One this season.

Stewart is 27, and will fancy his chances of retaining his place in the Blackpool starting XI for the majority of the campaign, with the Tangerines not exactly being blessed with a considerable amount of depth in that position.

Kenny Dougall is a likely starter for their season opener against Bristol City, with the midfielder looking to pick up where he last left off in a competitive match for Neil Critchley's side.

The 28-year-old netted a brace in the League One play-off final against Lincoln City at Wembley, which saw the Tangerines run out 2-1 winners at Wembley, as they clinched promotion into the Championship.

Dougall has experience of playing in the second tier of English football, having previously played for Barnsley at that level earlier in his career.

That experience will be relied upon throughout the season for Blackpool, who will be keen to avoid dropping back into League One anytime soon.

Sullay Kaikai had his season cut short through injury, which saw him miss Blackpool's play-off matches, which will have been frustrating for the winger.

He made 33 league starts for Blackpool last term, and and chipped in with seven goals and eight assists for Neil Critchley's side, as they won promotion into the Championship.

Kaikai had previously been on the books with Crystal Palace, and will be eager to prove himself in the second tier of English football, having dropped down the divisions in search of regular game time earlier in his career whilst with Crystal Palace.

If he can stay fit, then he'll have a crucial role to play for the Tangerines next season.

Josh Bowler is next up, with the winger signing permanently for Blackpool in July.

He has previously played for Everton, although he hasn't been able to force his way into the Toffees' first-team on a regular basis in recent years.

Bowler spent last year's league campaign on loan with Hull City, and made 31 appearances, whilst also chipping in a goal and an assists for the Tigers.

He'll have a point to prove in the Championship, having not being given much of a chance by QPR early into his professional career.

Embleton wasted no time in making a positive impact whilst on loan with Blackpool from League One rivals Sunderland.

The attacking midfielder went on to make 21 appearances in total for the Tangerines, and chipped in with two goals and four assists in total for the club last term.

He has since returned to Sunderland from his loan spell at Bloomfield Road, although the Tangerines are reportedly keen on signing him on a permanent basis this summer, according to The Northern Echo. 

It wouldn't come as a surprise to hear Embleton be keen on a permanent move, with Sunderland being condemned to another season in the third tier of English football.

This one depends on whether Blackpool can fend off interest from a number of clubs that are reportedly keen on signing the in-demand forward.

Yates caught the eye with a number of strong performances for the Tangerines in the 2020/21 season, and it appears as though that hasn't gone unnoticed.

He netted 21 league goals in 47 appearances for Neil Critchley's side, as they won promotion into the Championship, with Yates playing a starring role.

Nottingham Forest are just one of the clubs rumoured to be keen on landing his signature in the summer transfer window.