Sports Mole previews Monday’s League Two clash between Fleetwood Town and Morecambe, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Fleetwood Town will attempt to claim a second straight league win when they welcome Morecambe to Highbury Stadium on Monday.
The hosts are sitting in 12th place in the League Two table, while the visitors are languishing at the foot of the table after failing to win any of their six league games.
Match preview
© Imago
Fleetwood are competing in the fourth tier after their 10-year stay in League One came to a disappointing end last season.
Charlie Adam, who was appointed in December, was unable to save Fleetwood from the job, but he has still been given the opportunity to lead the Cod Army back to the third tier.
Adam’s side have proven to be a tough team to beat in the opening stages of the season, having won two, drawn two and lost one of their first five league matches.
The Cody Army gave up a two-goal lead in their most recent outing against Carlisle United, but they still managed to leave Brunton Park with maximum points thanks to Danny Mayor‘s 68th-minute winner.
After clinching a 3-2 win on their travels, Fleetwood will now return to Highbury Stadium where they are yet to concede in the league this season after beating Grimsby Town 1-0 and playing out a goalless draw with Gillingham.
Having mustered one point from six matches, Morecambe are one of two teams yet to claim a win in the fourth tier this season.
The Shrimps began the League Two campaign with four consecutive 1-0 defeats against Gillingham, Doncaster Rovers, Newport County and Crewe Alexandra.
Derek Adams‘s side looked set to fall to another loss in their recent meeting with Colchester after giving up a narrow lead to trail 3-1 by the 64th minute.
However, Morecambe, who were reduced to ten men in the first period, mounted a late fightback to snatch a point thanks to Callum Jones‘s penalty and Tom Flanagan‘s 88th-minute own goal.
While it may have only been a point, the Shrimps will hope the confidence gained from their late fightback can inspire them to end an 11-game winless league run.
Having failed to win their last three games against Fleetwood, Morecambe will head into Monday’s fixture with hopes of clinching a head-to-head win for the first time since November 2021.
Fleetwood Town League Two form:
Fleetwood Town form (all competitions):
Morecambe League Two form:
Morecambe form (all competitions):
Team News
© Imago
Fleetwood are expected to be without defender Zech Medley, who has missed the last six competitive matches through injury.
Harrison Holgate is a doubt for Monday’s home fixture after being forced off in the opening 10 minutes against Stoke.
Ryan Graydon dropped down to the bench for the midweek EFL Cup tie, but is likely to be recalled to bolster Fleetwood’s attacking options.
As for the visitors, they are expected to be without the forward duo of Saul Fox-Akande and Charlie Brown due to injury.
Ross Millen is set to come into the side to operate on the right side of defence in the absence of Luke Hendrie, who was sent off last weekend.
Jones will offer one of Morecambe’s main attacking threats after scoring a penalty and providing an assist in the draw with Colchester.
Fleetwood Town possible starting lineup:
Harrington; Bolton, Bennett, Wiredu; Johnston, Bonds, Virtue, Mayor; Helm; Graydon, Coughlan
Morecambe possible starting lineup:
Moore; Millen, Williams, Stott, Lewis; Lewis, Songo’o; Macadam, Jones, Tollitt; Angol
We say: Fleetwood Town 2-0 Morecambe
Although Morecambe would have taken some confidence from their recent 3-3 home draw against Colchester, they have lost all three of their away league games this season, and we think they will experience more disappointment on their travels when they face a Fleetwood side that have won three of their five competitive home games this season.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
ID:553488:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect11427:
Previews by email
Click here to get Sports Mole‘s daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!
