Preview: Burton Albion vs. Morecambe - prediction, team news, lineups

Burton Albion play host to Morecambe on Friday evening looking to reclaim a spot in the League One playoffs after a poor run of form.

However, the Brewers head into this contest sitting just two points ahead of the visitors, who possess one of the best attacking records in the division.

Match preview

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At one point this season, Burton had the opportunity to move to the top of the League One table, a sign that everything was heading in the right direction under Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

However, the Brewers have lost all momentum, recording just one victory in nine third-tier fixtures and dropping down into 10th position.

Hasselbaink will argue that Burton have improved over the past three games, their sole defeat coming by a 2-1 scoreline away at leaders Plymouth Argyle.

Nevertheless, Burton need another three points and more goals as soon as possible if they want to remain in the playoff mix.

On a positive note, six of their 11 league strikes have come in their last four outings, but only two players have netted more than once in League One.

As far as Morecambe are concerned, they were expected to feature at the wrong end of the table after earning promotion to the third tier for the first time in their history.

However, Stephen Robinson's side have recently collected seven points from a possible 12, their sole setback coming in a seven-goal thriller away at Wycombe Wanderers.

Robinson was left bitterly disappointed after blowing a lead at Adams Park, but his Shrimps side should only continue to improve as the season progresses.

Although they are yet to keep a clean sheet away from home, the form of nine-goal frontman Cole Stockton means that they will always have a chance at this level.

Team News

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Sheffield United loanee Daniel Jebbison is likely to start for Burton with Kane Hemmings suffering a hamstring injury last time out.

Versatile playmaker Harry Chapman could also return to the Brewers XI, potentially at the expense of Jonny Smith.

John Brayford is a long-term injury absentee after sustaining a hamstring injury earlier this month.

Having made widespread changes for the EFL Trophy fixture at Hartlepool United, Robinson should revert back to the team which started versus Wycombe.

Jonah Ayunga scored his first goal of the season as a substitute, but the forward is unlikely to come into starting lineup.

Ryan Cooney is an alternative to Ryan McLaughlin at right-back.

Burton Albion possible starting lineup:
Garratt; Hamer, Shaughnessy, Leak, Borthwick-Jackson; Oshilaja, O'Connor; Akins, Lakin, Chapman; Jebbison

Morecambe possible starting lineup:
Letheren; McLaughlin, O'Connor, Wootton, Delaney, Gibson; McCalmont, Diagouraga, Phillips; Gnahoua, Stockton

We say: Burton Albion 2-2 Morecambe

With both teams having suffered a defeat last time out, there will be an eagerness about making amends. We feel that extra desire should make for an entertaining encounter, one which could end in a high-scoring share of the spoils.

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