Preview: Morecambe vs. Crewe Alexandra - prediction, team news, lineups

The Shrimps had to wait until late to secure all the points at MK Dons on Saturday, whilst the Railwaymen's stellar form at the start of the calendar year continued against Barrow.

Match preview

Morecambe recorded their first win of 2024 at the fourth attempt on Saturday afternoon in Buckinghamshire, beating top-seven hopefuls MK Dons at Stadium MK, with second-half strikes from Jordan Slew and substitute Charlie Brown - the latter of which arrived in the 92nd minute - cancelling out Max Dean's opener for the hosts.

After being victims of a Macaulay Langstaff hat-trick in a 5-0 mauling at the hands of Notts County on December 29, the Shrimps have enjoyed a three-match unbeaten run in League Two at the start of the calendar year, although a 2-0 loss at Championship side Swansea ended the Lancashire team's FA Cup journey at the third-round stage on January 6.

Following a difficult 2022-23 term which finished in relegation from the third tier, Morecambe are on the coattails of the playoff picture in League Two as we enter the business stage of the term, sitting in 13th place, five points behind Mike Williamson's MK Dons in seventh.

The Shrimps have been frustrated by a host of loan players being recalled by their parent clubs during the opening weeks of the January transfer window, including leading marksman Michael Mellon, who had netted 13 goals in 22 fourth-tier appearances before being summoned back by Premier League club Burnley a fortnight ago.

Morecambe have managed to make the Mazuma Mobile Stadium a difficult place for away teams to earn points this season, with Gerard Brannan's men losing just two of their 13 League Two home matches to date, although they have not secured victory in front of their home faithful since October 28.

Crewe Alexandra's flawless form in the new calendar year continued on Saturday afternoon at fellow promotion chasers Barrow, with Elliott Nevitt, Lewis Billington and Matus Holicek breaching the net of Paul Farman at the SO Legal Stadium to claim maximum points on the road.

Four-straight wins in League Two at the beginning of 2024 has brought a feel-good factor to the camp of Lee Bell's side, leaving them within striking distance of the automatic-promotion spots in the league standings, sitting behind third-placed Mansfield only on goal difference.

Talking of threes, Crewe have relied on a troublesome trio for the majority of their attacking returns this term so far, with Liverpudlian Nevitt, Courtney Baker-Richardson and Chris Long all finding the net nine times each in the fourth tier, meaning Tuesday's visitors possess one of the division's most-potent forward lines.

Since the disappointing 2-0 defeat at West Midlands outfit Walsall on Boxing Day, the Railwaymen have navigated their last three outings in League Two without defeat, forcing a point at Newport County, narrowly beating Nigel Clough's Stags at the One Call Stadium, and easing past Barrow last time out.

The last time Crewe squared off against Morecambe in Lancashire was during the 2021-22 League One campaign, when Chris Porter and Luke Murphy netted in the second half to cancel out Gregory Leigh's 36th-minute strike for the Shrimps, who managed to narrowly retain their third-tier status that year.

Morecambe League Two form:

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D

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W

Morecambe form (all competitions):

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W

Crewe Alexandra League Two form:

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D

W

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W

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Team News

Morecambe could make some changes to their starting XI after the dramatic win at MK Dons on the weekend, with matchwinner Brown potentially earning a spot at the expense of Gerard Garner or Joe Adams.

January arrival Kayden Harrack came on at right-back for Joel Senior at Stadium MK, and the 20-year-old could be handed a starting berth on Tuesday night.

Gwion Edwards made his second appearance for the Shrimps since moving from Wigan Athletic this month, and the wing-back may be involved again in this one.

Crewe are expected to name a similar side to the one which produced a standout display at Barrow on the weekend, meaning Conor Thomas and Aaron Rowe should continue in the engine room.

Since arriving from Newport in the summer, Mickey Demetriou has been a revelation at centre-back, helping his side keep clean sheets whilst also bagging six League Two goals.

Morecambe possible starting lineup:

Mair; Senior, Rawson, Stokes, Bedeau; Songo'o, Taylor, Slew, Brown, Mayor; Garner

Crewe Alexandra possible starting lineup:

Booth; Billington, O'Riordan, Demetriou, Adebisi; Offord, Tracey, Rowe, Thomas, Long; Nevitt

We say: Morecambe 1-1 Crewe Alexandra

Morecambe will be hoping that the last-minute win against MK Dons can be a turning point in their struggle to chase down the playoffs, and we are expecting the Shrimps to have a real chance on Tuesday.

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