Preview: Swansea City vs. Morecambe - prediction, team news, lineups

The home side currently sit in 16th position in the Championship standings, while Morecambe occupy 17th place in the League Two table.

Match preview

A month on from the sacking of Michael Duff, Swansea are still without a permanent replacement, Alan Sheehan remaining at the helm on a caretaker basis for seven games.

Judging by his recent comments, Sheehan is keen for the uncertainty to end as soon as possible, yet he will be more than satisfied with the job that he has done.

Eleven points have been collected from seven games, moving Swansea 10 points clear of the relegation zone and keeping them with 10 points of fifth-placed West Bromwich Albion, who they defeated on New Year's Day.

Notably, four points have come from two games since the 5-0 reverse at Southampton on Boxing Day, but there is a desire for some stability to be found so that work can be undertaken in the transfer window.

Swansea will take a two-match winning streak at their home ground into a game against opponents whom they have never faced in a competitive fixture.

Morecambe will be pleased to have a week away from league action having failed to win any of their last four encounters in League Two.

Ged Brannan initially instigated a change at the North-West outfit, recording notable 2-0 and 5-0 wins away at Wycombe Wanderers in the FA Cup and Doncaster Rovers in the fourth tier.

However, it has taken a comeback 2-2 draw at home to Harrogate Town on New Year's Day to generate a bit of momentum ahead of this contest, Morecambe having previously conceded five times at Notts County.

Both of their wins in this competition have come on the road, a 2-1 triumph at Lincoln City - another League One side - preceding the success at Wycombe.

Swansea City form (all competitions):

D

L

W

L

D

W

Morecambe FA Cup form:

W

W

Morecambe form (all competitions):

D

W

L

D

L

D

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Team News

Sheehan - assuming that he remains in charge for another game - is expected to take the opportunity to make a number of changes to his Swansea XI.

Charlie Patino seems likely to replace Liam Walsh, who was withdrawn after 10 minutes against West Brom, while Yannick Bolasie could make his third start for the club.

Kyle Naughton, Kristian Pedersen, Joe Allen and Jerry Yates will also expect to feature, while goalkeeper Andrew Fisher may make his first appearance of the season between the sticks.

JJ McKiernan, Adam Mayor and Michael Mellon could all miss out for Morecambe after suffering injuries during the first half against Harrogate.

Jake Taylor, Tom Bloxham and Charlie Brown replaced the trio on that occasion, and it is plausible that they will each come into the starting lineup, the latter to make his first start of the season.

Swansea City possible starting lineup:

Fisher; Darling, Cabango, Naughton, Pedersen; Fulton, Grimes; Cullen, Patino, Bolasie; Yates

Morecambe possible starting lineup:

Smith; Senior, Rawson, Bedeau, Tutonda; King, Songo'o; Slew, Taylor, Bloxham; Brown

We say: Swansea City 2-0 Morecambe

With confidence low in the Morecambe ranks, Swansea will expect to take advantage. However, with changes likely in the home side's starting lineup, they may only score a goal in each half to secure the progress to the last 32.

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