Preview: Morecambe vs. Preston North End - prediction, team news, lineups

Morecambe will be hoping to pull off another cup shock when they host Preston North End in the EFL Cup second round on Tuesday evening.

The Shrimps knocked out fellow Lancashire outfit Blackburn Rovers in round one and now face another local derby against Championship opposition.

Match preview

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After going a goal down, Morecambe's 2-1 win away at Rovers a fortnight ago will live long in the memories of supporters; Adam Phillips' 84th-minute winner from the penalty spot in particular.

The Shrimps have only reached the third round on two previous occasions – their first ever Football League season in 2007-08 and last year, when they lost 7-0 to Newcastle United.

This is the club's first ever season in League One, and so far they have four points from their opening four games under new manager Stephen Robinson, who replaced Bradford City-bound Derek Adams.

Morecambe lost 2-1 away at Gillingham on Saturday afternoon and face a tricky game against Sheffield Wednesday after their cup venture.

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Preston picked up their first points of the season on Saturday with a 1-0 win over Peterborough United, as Patrick Bauer's 14th-minute goal lifted them off the bottom of the Championship table.

Frankie McAvoy will hope the result gives his side a boost and allows them to turn a corner following a difficult start to the campaign, with Covid-19 issues blighting their preparation for matches.

The Lilywhites' only other victory so far in 2021-22 came in round one of the EFL Cup, as they eased past League Two Mansfield Town 3-0; Scott Sinclair netted a brace and Emil Riis Jakobsen also found the scoresheet.

The club have reached the third round of the competition in each of the last three seasons, so will be eager to keep that run going as they make the short trip to the Mazuma Stadium.

This will be only the fifth ever meeting between Morecambe and Preston; all the previous four have been in cup competitions and the Lilywhites have been victorious on each occasion – most recently in the first round of the EFL Cup three years ago.

Team News

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Wes McDonald is pushing for a start on the wing for Morecambe after coming off the bench in the last three League One matches.

Courtney Duffus made his debut for the Shrimps as a substitute against Gillingham on Saturday and will probably have to settle for a spot on the bench again with Cole Stockton the first choice centre forward.

Stockton has four goals so far this season, the only other Morecambe player to find the back of the net is Burnley loanee and round one hero Adam Phillips.

Frankie McAvoy could name an unchanged team as he tries to build some momentum on the back of victory over Peterborough.

Alan Browne, Ched Evans, Liam Lindsay and Tom Barkhuizen are all currently isolating due to Covid-19 and McAvoy admitted he did not know when they would be able to return to training.

Scott Sinclair's brace against Mansfield in round one are the only goals he has scored since February, so he will hope to net again.

Morecambe possible starting lineup:
Andresson; Cooney, Lavelle, O'Connor, Leigh; McLoughlin, Diagouraga, Phillips; Gnahoua, Stockton, McDonald

Preston North End possible starting lineup:
Iversen; Storey, Bauer, Hughes; van den Berg, Johnson, Whiteman, Ledson, Earl; Maguire, Sinclair

We say: Morecambe 1-1 Preston North End

Morecambe will fancy their chances of causing another upset, particularly given Preston's less than convincing start to the Championship season. The Lilywhites will gain confidence from beating Peterborough, but we still think the game will end level in 90 minutes; then we are backing Preston to win on penalties.