Morecambe head into their Good Friday showdown with Charlton Athletic requiring a victory to pull clear of the League One relegation zone.
As it stands, only goal difference keeps them outside of the bottom four, while the hosts are battling for a top-half finish after winning four of their last six matches.
Match preview
© Reuters
Johnnie Jackson has endured a topsy-turvy period as manager of Charlton, a mixture of winning and losing streaks resulting in the club having had to consider a surprise relegation since the turn of the year.
However, collecting 13 points from their last six fixtures has ensured that the Addicks will remain in the third tier and with plenty of reason for optimism next season.
The recent home defeat to Lincoln City was certainly not part of the plan, but Charlton will choose to focus on their terrific 1-0 win at promotion-chasing Rotherham United last time out.
While their away record has been relatively poor since August, the London outfit have returned seven points from their last three fixtures on their travels.
Each of Charlton's last four goals, all scored in separate games, have been netted in the second halves of fixtures.
As for Morecambe, they re-appointed Derek Adams as their manager in February with the hope that a familiar face would stimulate an upturn in fortunes.
However, while successive wins were recently recorded against Burton Albion and Oxford United, just eight points have been collected from a possible 27.
Last weekend's 2-1 reverse at Cambridge United has left the Shrimps only outside of the bottom four by the smallest margin on goal difference, and a tough run-in leaves them as outsiders to avoid an immediate return to the fourth tier.
Morecambe have also not won away from home in the league since defeating Fleetwood Town all the way back on November 20, a period spanning 12 matches.
- W
- W
- W
- L
- D
- W
- L
- L
- L
- W
- W
- L
Team News
© Reuters
Barring any injury issues, Jackson will almost certainly stick with the Charlton side which edged out Rotherham on away territory.
The only substitution made during that contest came in the 91st minute when the Addicks were trying to hand onto their narrow advantage, a sign that Jackson is happy with his current side.
George Dobson scored the only goal of the game, the midfielder finally netting his first league strike of the campaign in his 34th start.
Ryan Inniss remains suspended for Charlton, but the defender is unlikely to have come into the team regardless.
As for Morecambe, Jonah Ayunga is pushing for a recall in the final third in place of Arthur Gnahoua.
Shane McLoughlin may return in midfield, but Adams is not expected to make widespread changes to the team which went down 2-1 at Cambridge.
Charlton Athletic possible starting lineup:
MacGillavray; Clare, Pearce, Famewo; Matthews, Gilbey, Dobson, Morgan, Blackett-Taylor; Stockley, Washington
Morecambe possible starting lineup:
Carson; Leigh, Bennett, Bedeau, Gibson; McLoughlin, Fane, Phillips; Connolly, Stockton, Ayunga
We say: Charlton Athletic 2-1 Morecambe
Morecambe have shown signs in recent games that they have the quality to avoid relegation back to the fourth tier. However, we cannot ignore the recent improvement of the Addicks, who we are backing to edge a hard-fought contest by the odd goal in three.
