Preview: Burton Albion vs. Morecambe - prediction, team news, lineups

The two teams, who come into the game on the back of contrasting results against promotion hopefuls, are separated by a solitary point with Burton just ahead of the Shrimpers having played a game more.

Match preview

The Brewers have experienced a slight upturn in form lately after Dino Maamria became manager, winning two of their last five games having not won in their opening eight games under Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

Last time out, they picked up a credible point at Peterborough United, with Victor Adeboyejo's strike 15 minutes from time cancelling out Jonson Clarke-Harris's 46th-minute tap-in.

That draw, along with victories against Exeter City and Forest Green Rovers, means that Albion have picked up seven points from the last 15 available to take them to within three points of safety behind Oxford United.

Adeboyejo has been the catalyst of this turnaround - the striker has scored six goals for Burton this season to become their top scorer including a hat-trick against Rovers two weeks ago.

It is defensively where they have let themselves down, though, as only Forest Green have conceded more than the Brewers' 29 in the league, but they looked like a cohesive unit against the Posh after welcoming in Adrian Mariappa ahead of that game.

Morecambe could do with someone of his experience as they have endured an extremely tough start to their second season in the third tier, picking up just one win this term.

They were unlucky in their last game against Ipswich Town, however, leading the second-placed side at half time through Kieran Phillips before conceding twice in 11 second-half minutes to fall to a seventh defeat of the season.

Their performance this term can be summed up by their star-man Cole Stockton's form.

Stockton was the Shrimpers' top scorer last season and was touted with a move away from the Lancashire club in the summer but, this season, he is yet to score and has looked a shell of his former self.

They have rarely looked threatening in attack and have been breached far too easily defensively, so will see the game at the Pirelli Stadium as an opportunity to kick-start their dismal season.

Burton Albion League One form:

L

W

L

W

L

D

Burton Albion form (all competitions):

W

W

L

W

L

D

Morecambe League One form:

D

L

W

L

L

L

Morecambe form (all competitions):

L

W

D

L

L

L

Team News

Burton defender Conor Shaughnessy is still missing as he recovers from the injury that has kept him out of action since August, meaning Mariappa is in line to make his home debut.

That is Maamria's only injury worry that he has to contend with, meaning he could name a side unchanged from the one that drew at Peterborough last time out.

Derek Adams is still without Arthur Gnahoua as this is the second of his three-game suspension and Max Melbourne is a doubt, so they could also be unchanged from their last game.

Morecambe only had five substitutes for that game against Ipswich but could welcome Jon Obika back onto the bench after he had a family situation to deal with last weekend.

Jensen Weir is also a doubt after not being included in the squad for the game last time out.

Burton Albion possible starting lineup:

Garratt; Brayford, Hughes, Mariappa, Hamer; Oshilaja, Taylor; Powell, Keillor-Dunn, Smith; Adeboyejo

Morecambe possible starting lineup:

Ripley; Rawson, Bedeau, Delaney; Love, Shaw, Fane, Connolly, Gibson; Stockton, Phillips

We say: Burton Albion 3-1 Morecambe

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