Relegation-threatened Morecambe welcome promotion-chasing AFC Wimbledon to Mazuma Mobile Stadium for Round 35 of League Two on Tuesday, with both sides looking to snap three-game winless runs.
The Shrimps have suffered three straight defeats, dropping into the bottom two with 26 points, only ahead of Carlisle United on goal difference, while the visitors sit fifth with 57 points after two draws and a loss.
Match preview
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Morecambe's struggles continued on Saturday as they fell 1-0 at Gillingham in a contest where the hosts dictated proceedings from start to finish.
Derek Adams's side were completely outplayed, failing to register a single attempt from open play, with their three shots — 10 fewer than the Gills — never truly testing the opposition goalkeeper.
Harry Burgoyne, however, was kept busy in the Morecambe goal, making a couple of impressive saves before being left helpless by Robbie McKenzie's deflected strike in the 79th minute, which ultimately settled the match.
The Shrimps have now gone three consecutive matches without finding the net, further highlighting their struggles in the final third, having also drawn blanks in eight of their previous 13 games — leaving the Lancashire-based outfit with the fifth-worst attack in the division with 29 goals.
Their defensive issues have been equally damaging, with 52 goals conceded, making them the joint second-worst backline in League Two this season.
Sitting three points adrift of safety, Morecambe know a win is crucial on Tuesday, and they can draw confidence from their most recent home meeting in this fixture, having cruised to a commanding 4-1 victory in October 2023.
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Wimbledon, on the other hand, will be aiming to complete their first-ever league double over the Shrimps after easing to a 3-0 win in October's reverse matchup.
However, their recent performances have not been convincing, with the Dons' 1-0 home loss to Bromley last time out dealing a major blow to their automatic promotion hopes while further exposing their ongoing struggles.
After playing out a goalless draw with Fleetwood Town and surrendering a lead at Colchester United — extending their unbeaten run to 12 matches — the defeat to Bromley has now flipped the narrative to three winless games.
Now four points off the automatic promotion places, Wimbledon will be confident of halting their drought against a side with the second-worst home record in the division, with Morecambe losing 10 of their 16 league games at Mazuma.
Johnnie Jackson's side may not be the most dominant force on the road, but their return of 21 points from a possible 48 makes them the ninth-best travellers in the league, and they will hope that record counts for something on Tuesday as they look to reignite their push for a top-three finish.
Team News
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Liverpool loanee Rhys Williams has been a key figure in Morecambe's backline and is expected to return after serving a suspension that ruled him out of the previous match.
Manager Adams may look to shake things up in attack, potentially handing Gwion Edwards a start on the flanks after three consecutive appearances from the bench.
On the injury front, long-term absentee George Ray remains sidelined for the rest of the season, while the team could find itself without a substitute goalkeeper for a third straight game following Ryan Schofield's injury against Doncaster Rovers, leaving Burgoyne to guard the net once again.
Wimbledon boss Jackson, who has named an unchanged lineup in the last two outings, may be forced into adjustments this time after his side's recent struggles.
Joe Lewis has been a mainstay in the Dons' defence this season, but with his error leading to Bromley's winner last time out, his place in the XI could be under threat, with Sam Hutchinson, recently back from an abductor tear, now in line for his first start in over a month.
Meanwhile, Matty Stevens has now gone three matches without finding the net, with the league's joint-top scorer on 16 goals looking to end his drought.
Morecambe possible starting lineup:
Burgoyne; Tutonda, Williams, Taylor, Hendrie; Cooke, Songo'o, Macadam; Dackers, Angol, Edwards
AFC Wimbledon possible starting lineup:
Goodman; Ogundere, Hutchinson, Johnson; Neufville, Reeves, Smith, Tilley; Browne; Bugiel, Stevens
We say: Morecambe 0-2 AFC Wimbledon
With Morecambe's struggles at both ends and their woes on home turf, Wimbledon, who have had a better campaign, should bounce back to winning ways here as they look to strengthen their bid for automatic promotion.
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Adeyeye Oluwapelumi
