Preview: Cambridge United vs. Morecambe - prediction, team news, lineups

While the U's have lost their last three games, Morecambe will want to continue to build momentum, as they look to claim a fourth consecutive victory.

Match preview

Cambridge are currently experiencing a poor run of form, after winning only one of their last nine league matches, while their previous three games have ended in defeat.

Following a demoralising 5-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday, Cambridge got off to the perfect start in their most recent outing when Sam Smith gave his side a fifth-minute lead against Bristol Rovers.

However, goals from Josh Coburn and Scott Sinclair turned the game on its head by the half-hour mark, and with the U's unable to find an equaliser, they ultimately fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat.

Since beginning the season with four consecutive home league victories, Cambridge have picked up five points from their last nine home games, winning only one match in that period.

They can at least take confidence from their recent head-to-head record with Morecambe, after winning their previous five games against Saturday's opponents, including a 2-1 victory in September.

While they may have performed poorly in recent meetings with the U's, Morecambe are currently enjoying an impressive run of form after winning their last three games.

Before the Shrimps face Accrington on December 29, they were rock-bottom of the League One table and seven points adrift of safety.

However, they have since beaten Accrington 2-0 and thrashed Burton Albion 5-0, before they claimed a narrow win over Cheltenham Town last weekend.

Alfie May equalised for Cheltenham in the 36th minute to cancel out Jensen Weir's opener, but Kieran Phillips scored what proved to be the winning goal in the early stages of the second half to move the Shrimps two points clear of the drop zone.

Although Morecambe will be buoyed by three consecutive wins, all of those victories took place on home turf, and Derek Adams will hope their recent home form can be transferred onto their travels, with the Shrimps currently winless in 11 away games in all competitions.

Cambridge United League One form:

L

D

W

L

L

L

Cambridge United form (all competitions):

L

D

W

L

L

L

Morecambe League One form:

D

L

L

W

W

W

Team News

The hosts could be without the services of Zeno Ibsen Rossi, Lloyd Jones and Harrison Dunk due to injury issues.

Steve Seddon, who recently joined on loan from Oxford, fractured his cheekbone and eye socket on his Cambridge debut last weekend, and as a result, he will be sidelined for a minimum of six weeks.

Fellow January signing Ryan Bennett is also unavailable due to a lack of fitness, but he could make his debut against Shrewsbury Town next weekend.

As for the visitors, they are expected to be without the services of Max Melbourne, Jake Taylor and Courtney Duffus due to injury issues, while Cole Stockton is a doubt.

Ash Hunter returned from a spell on the sidelines to play his first minutes since August when he featured as a late substitute last Saturday, and he is expected to be on the bench for Saturday's game.

Dan Crowley has recently signed for the club, but he may have to settle for a place among the substitutes, with Adams set to name an unchanged lineup.

Cambridge United possible starting lineup:

Mannion; Williams, Okedina, Taylor, Bennett; Worman, Digby; Tracey, Knibbs, Brophy; Smith

Morecambe possible starting lineup:

Ripley; Rawson, Bedeau, Delaney; Cooney, Weir, Gibson, Shaw, Mayor; Watts, Phillips

We say: Cambridge United 0-2 Morecambe

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