Preview: Morecambe vs. Bristol Rovers - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors, meanwhile, are seeking to avoid a second consecutive defeat away from home, after losing at Accrington Stanley in their most recent league encounter.

Match preview

A difficult campaign to date has left Morecambe in 21st position in the table, claiming just 24 points from their 26 matches courtesy of a record of five wins, nine draws and 12 defeats.

The Shrimps suffered a 4-0 defeat to Ipswich Town last time out, courtesy of two goals each from Freddie Ladapo and Conor Chaplin.

That defeat marked the first time that Derek Adams's side had been in action since January 7 as their last two matches, due to be against Cambridge United and Port Vale, had been postponed.

Morecambe were promoted to League One through the League Two playoffs in 2020-21, and they will be desperate to make it three straight campaigns at this level of football.

The Shrimps' home form could be the catalyst that keeps them in League One, as they have picked up 17 points from 13 outings on their home patch this season.

Bristol Rovers, meanwhile, have not been in action since January 14, after their clash with Wycombe Wanderers was postponed last weekend.

The Gas will be looking to avoid a third consecutive defeat in all competitions after losing their last two games by a 2-0 scoreline.

Joey Barton's side were knocked out of the EFL Trophy following a 2-0 defeat to Plymouth Argyle in the quarter-finals, before they were beaten by Accrington Stanley in their most recent league outing.

While the Gas are the fourth-highest scorers in the league, only three teams have conceded more goals than them this season, suggesting that there is still work to do defensively.

Saturday's visitors are currently sat in 11th in the table, picking up 37 points after 27 games.

Morecambe League One form:

L

L

W

W

W

L

Bristol Rovers League One form:

W

L

L

W

W

L

Bristol Rovers form (all competitions):

L

L

W

W

L

L

Team News

Morecambe have not reported any fresh issues since their defeat against Ipswich, so it would not be a surprise to see the same XI take to the field here.

Midfielder Jensen Weir is the team's leading goalscorer in the league this season with eight, and the 20-year-old looks likely to feature again in a 3-5-2 formation.

As for the visitors, Bristol Rovers are currently without the services of Jordan Rossiter, Lewis Gibson, Harry Anderton and Josh Grant due to injury issues.

Aaron Collins is the joint-highest scorer in League One - alongside Peterborough's Jonson Clarke-Harris - and the forward will be looking to add to the 13 goals that he has scored this season.

Morecambe possible starting lineup:

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

Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:

Belshaw; Hoole, Connolly, Gibbons; McCormick, Coutts, Finley, Sinclair; Evans; Collins, Coburn

We say: Morecambe 2-1 Bristol Rovers

Despite their defeat against Ipswich, Morecambe have enjoyed a good run of form that they will have taken confidence from.

Previews by email