Preview: Morecambe vs. Wycombe Wanderers - prediction, team news, lineups

Wycombe Wanderers will look to keep their place at the top of the League One table on Saturday, when they travel to take on Morecambe.

Back-to-back wins have seen Gareth Ainsworth's side climb to the summit of the English third tier, while their hosts sit in the drop zone after a tough first half to the campaign.

Match preview

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After winning promotion last term, Morecambe have tended to struggle for form in League One this season, and they find themselves in a battle for survival.

However, Stephen Robinson's side look to have shown improvement since the turn of the year, firstly recording a crucial 4-3 league victory over fellow strugglers Doncaster Rovers, with Cole Stockton scoring a brace and Jonathan Obika and Toumani Diagouraga netting goals in the final 10 minutes to turn the game on its head and leave with all three points.

The Shrimps then travelled to Tottenham Hotspur in FA Cup action, and they led for the majority of the game through Anthony O'Connor before the 2019 Champions League finalists had to call on their stars with Harry Winks, Lucas Moura and Harry Kane sealing a 3-1 win for the hosts in the final 15 minutes.

After that valiant effort, Robinson's men earned a point in a goalless stalemate with relegation rivals AFC Wimbledon, before narrowly losing 2-1 at home to second-placed Wigan Athletic on Tuesday after Stockton had put them ahead.

While they have been more impressive since the turn of the year, the Shrimps still sit 21st in England's third tier, and, with four sides dropping to League Two, they remain three points adrift of safety with the need to post a run of results to boost their claim for survival this season.

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Wycombe arrive looking for a victory for a different reason, as they aim to keep their place at the top of the table.

Gareth Ainsworth's side came down from the Championship last season with the aim of earning an immediate promotion, and they have established themselves in the top six throughout the campaign.

Having now won three of their last four league outings, the Chairboys have climbed to the top of the division, albeit with Wigan sitting just a point behind with four games in hand.

Ainsworth's side made it back-to-back 2-0 wins in a tough clash against seventh-placed Oxford United last time out, as Curtis Thompson and Brandon Hanlan netted goals either side of the interval to secure Wycombe's 15th three-point haul of the campaign.

They will now look for a third straight victory to further bolster their bid for a return to the Championship at the first time of asking.

Team News

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Morecambe's line will be led by star man Cole Stockton, who has excelled in League One so far this season, netting 15 goals in 23 league appearances.

Elsewhere, Robinson should again deploy a back four of Ryan McLaughlin, Anthony O'Connor, Jacob Bedeau and Greg Leigh, with experienced holding midfielder Toumani Diagouraga providing additional protection.

Ainsworth has tended to make minimal changes to his Wycombe side this season, and, after consecutive 2-0 wins, they should again field a similar starting XI.

The back three of Anthony Stewart, Ryan Tafazolli and Joe Jacobsen will remain unchanged after those clean sheets, with Curtis Thompson and Josh Scowen again expected to handle business in the engine room.

Brandon Hanlan will lead a front three with a degree of renewed confidence, having hit two goals and provided an assist in the last two games, with Garath McCleary, Anis Mehmeti and Sam Vokes all battling for starting spots.

Morecambe possible starting lineup:
Carson; McLaughlin, O'Connor, Bedeau, Leigh; McLoughlin, Diagouraga, Wildig; Ayunga, Stockton, Gnahoua

Wycombe Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Stockdale; Stewart, Tafazolli, Jacobsen; Grimmer, Thompson, Scowen, Obita; McCleary; Hanlan, Vokes

We say: Morecambe 0-1 Wycombe Wanderers

While Morecambe have been more resilient in recent outings, Wycombe seem to have kicked into gear in their bid for promotion, and we expect them to get the job done on Saturday.

Ainsworth's men have excelled in grinding out wins from tough clashes, and we see that happening this weekend against a Shrimps side full of fight.

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