Latics are looking to make it three wins in a row when they travel to the Mazuma Stadium to take on Morecambe in Sky Bet League Two this weekend (12:30pm KO).
It was a 5-2 scoreline in the side's last outing a week ago, with the goals coming from Conor McAleny, Alfie McCalmont, Carl Piergianni and a brace from Davis Keillor-Dunn.
That backed up an impressive win before that to record back-to-back victories in the league for the first time since November, which also resulted in nine goals scored over those two games.
Form Guide
Morecambe have been one of the surprise packages of the division this season and are still in with a good chance of being promoted.
Last time out, they emphatically saw off Scunthorpe United 4-1 in the week, ending a run of three games without a win.
Like Latics, they have won three of their last six but sit fourth in the table. Just four points seperates them and a place in the automatic promotion spots.
They will know that a bad run could cost them their playoff space as the gap is just six points and a number of teams have a game in hand.
The Shrimps’ last six:
- Morecambe 4-1 Scunthorpe United
- Port Vale 1-0 Morecambe
- Morecambe 1-1 Southend United
- Cambridge United 2-1 Morecambe
- Morecambe 1-0 Cheltenham Town
- Harrogate Town 0-1 Morecambe
Head-to-Head
Meetings: 7
Latics wins: 3
Morecambe wins: 4
Draws: 0
Scored: 10
Conceded: 8
Latics have not had the best of time against Morecambe this season and have already suffered defeat at their hands twice this season.
The first game was in the second round of the Carabao Cup with Aaron Wildig scoring the only goal of the game as they set up a tie with Newcastle. The other was 3-2 at Boundary Park with Wildig, Alex Kenyon and Cole Stockton scoring whilst Conor McAleny grabbed a brace for Latics as young keeper Mackenzie Chapman was called into action from the bench at the interval.
Team News
It looks like Zak Dearnley, George Blackwood and Marcus Barnes are close to return to the side before the end of the season after time out with serious injuries.
Goalkeeper Ian Lawlor is out injured for what looks like the remainder of the campaign and it is still unclear whether Bobby Grant and Serhat Tasdemir are available for selection.
Watch Out For
Carlos Mendes Gomes is enjoying a good season and found the back of the net in the 4-1 win over Scunthorpe.
With 13 goals in 39 appearances, Gomes is Morecambe’s top scorer and the ninth highest in the division.
The 22-year-old spent time in his youth career with Spanish giants Atletico Madrid but his first taste of senior football came in a very different arena with local non-league outfit West Didsbury and Chorlton.
He was scouted by Morecambe and made the move to the professional game in 2018.
This is by far Gomes’ most productive season as 13 of his 15 Morecambe goals have come this campaign.
Stadium
Globe Arena (Mazuma stadium)
Capacity: 6,476
Opened: 2010
Record Attendance: 5,375 (vs. Newcastle United, 2013)
In The Dugout
In the home dugout is Derek Adams.
Adams took over the reins at Morecambe in November 2019 after the long-serving Jim Bentley departed the club for AFC Fylde.
He has also managed Ross County and Plymouth Argyle. At just 33-years-old, Adams did the impressive feat of leading Ross County to the Scottish Cup Final beating Celtic and Hibernian on the way.
Match Officials
The referee in charge is Michael Salisbury.
He has taken charge of 21 games in this campaign handing out 49 bookings and one red card.
The last fixture he officiated involving Latics was back in February, a 1-0 defeat at home against Barrow.
His assistants are James Wilson and Steven Meredith with Lewis Smith as the Fourth Official.
Sky Bet Odds
Morecambe are odds on favourites to boost their promotion chances with a win and are priced at 5/6.
Keith Curle’s men are out at 3/1 to make it three wins on the bounce whilst the draw is 5/2.
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How To Follow The Game
Please note there is an unusual kit clash with Morecambe's socks which are now black along with their white shorts, so the home blue shirt will be worn with the navy shorts and socks of the away kit.
Because the game is classed as behind-closed-doors, supporters can tune into a live match stream with commentary available for all subscribers on iFollow Latics, as Michael Brown and John Helm talk you through the action.
This match is available as a live stream for the fee of £10 by clicking here.
In the current environment, there is a greater dependence on match streaming than ever before.
As a result iFollow generates one of the only revenue streams available to clubs through these financial challenges.
Piracy - and illegal streaming of matches - does not only carry the risk of potential criminal action, but also has a greater financial impact on clubs while supporters are unable to attend matches.
The EFL's campaign would like to not only convey the message that piracy is immoral and illegal, but that it is also financially damaging club's across the divisions.
For more information on the campaign and iFollow, click here.
Alternatively, supporters can also follow the game with live updates on the club's official Twitter account: @OfficialOAFC.
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