Preview: Morecambe vs. Accrington Stanley - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors, who sit just outside the League One relegation zone, have proven to be a tough team to beat in recent weeks after avoiding defeat in their last six competitive games.

Match preview

Morecambe have a mountain to climb if they are to avoid relegation this season, with the Shrimps currently bottom of the table after picking up 15 points from 22 games.

As a result of their poor form, Derek Adams's side are five points adrift of Accrington, who sit just outside the bottom four.

In their most recent outing, the Shrimps were beaten 1-0 by Port Vale on Boxing Day after Gavin Massey scored what proved to be the winning goal in the 40th minute, extending Morecambe's winless run to 11 competitive games.

While Morecambe have only managed to keep two clean sheets in the league this season, they have also struggled in the final third.

They are the second-lowest scorers in the third tier, and they have failed to score more than one goal in their previous 13 matches in all competitions, although they managed to find the net at ease during a 3-3 draw in their home meeting with Accrington last season.

Meanwhile, Accrington extended their unbeaten run to six games in all competitions when they played out a 1-1 draw against Barnsley on Boxing Day.

John Coleman's side trailed at half time after James Norwood gave Barnsley the lead in the eighth minute, but Tommy Leigh scored from the spot in the second period to ensure his side picked up a point.

Although Accrington's overall form is encouraging, they have won only one of their last 10 league games, leaving them just one point clear of the relegation zone.

Their only win in that 10-game period took place in their most recent away match in League One when they claimed a narrow 1-0 victory over Cambridge United.

As Accrington target a precious win on Thursday, they can draw inspiration from the fact that they beat Morecambe 3-1 when the two sides met earlier in the season.

Morecambe League One form:

D

D

L

D

L

L

Morecambe form (all competitions):

D

L

L

D

L

L

Accrington Stanley League One form:

L

D

L

W

D

D

Accrington Stanley form (all competitions):

W

W

W

D

W

D

Team News

Morecambe are still unable to call upon Ash Hunter and Courtney Duffus, with the pair currently sidelined due to injury issues.

Ryan Cooney could be brought into the starting lineup to replace the suspended Donald Love after he received a second yellow card in stoppage time on Boxing Day.

After dropping down to the bench against Port Vale, Caleb Watts could return to the starting lineup on Thursday.

As for the visitors, they will have to cope without the services of Michael Nottingham and Sean McConville, who both miss out through injury.

Josh Woods returned from a spell on the sidelines to feature as a late substitute on Boxing Day and the 22-year-old is expected to be on the bench once again.

After picking up a hard-earned point against Barnsley, Coleman could be tempted to name an unchanged lineup for Thursday's contest.

Morecambe possible starting lineup:

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

Accrington Stanley possible starting lineup:

Savin; Rodgers, Astley, Fernandes; Clark, Hamilton, Conneely, Coyle, Pritchard; Leigh, Whalley

We say: Morecambe 1-2 Accrington Stanley

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