Preview: Morecambe vs. Lincoln City - prediction, team news, lineups

Newly promoted Morecambe host last season's losing playoff finalists Lincoln City at the Globe Arena in League One's midweek action on Tuesday.

Despite almost being two divisions apart had things gone differently in the 2020-21 playoffs for both sides, they find themselves level on points after the opening nine league fixtures this campaign.

Match preview

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After losing previous manager Derek Adams just days after gaining promotion to League One via the playoffs, there were reasons to be concerned ahead of Morecambe's first-ever season in the third tier of English football.

However, Steve Robinson, who previously managed Motherwell in Scotland, has arrived and overseen an impressive start to the new campaign.

The Shrimps have won three and drawn two of their opening nine games in their debut season at this level, which includes four points taken off promotion-chasers Sheffield Wednesday and Ipswich Town.

Last time out saw a thrilling contest played out at home to Accrington Stanley on Saturday, which eventually finished 3-3 despite the hosts being reduced to 10 men for over half of the match.

Cole Stockton managed to score a brace, including an equaliser in the final 10 minutes, after Shane McLoughlin saw red with the scoreline at 2-2.

With their backs to the wall and little control of the ball as expected, Morecambe battled hard and defended excellently to grind out an unlikely point, which Robinson will be hoping his side can carry into Tuesday.

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Unlike their hosts, Lincoln failed at the final hurdle in last season's playoffs campaign - Michael Appleton and his side fell 2-1 in the final against Blackpool at Wembley Stadium after a largely successful season.

The disappointment of that final seems to have followed Lincoln into the new season, as the promotion hopefuls find themselves in 17th place, one position behind Tuesday's opponents.

Losing loan stars of last campaign, such as Morgan Rogers and Brennan Johnson, was always going to make Appleton's job this year even more difficult, but there will be no doubt of his concerns in the early stages.

Last time out, the Imps managed just their second win in seven games when they defeated struggling Burton Albion 2-1 away from home on Saturday.

Lewis Fiorini and Anthony Scully were the scorers for Lincoln in a match that was a spectacle for the neutral, with 39 shots registered between the two sides.

However, Burton attempted 27 of these and, although both missed some big chances, the away side were perhaps fortunate to come away with all three points.

Team News

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After his red card at the weekend, Morecambe midfielder Shane McLoughlin will be suspended for the visit of Lincoln on Tuesday.

Courtney Duffus remains on the sidelines for the next four to five weeks, whilst Jon Obika and Shayon Harrison also remain unavailable for the hosts.

However, Jonah Ayunga returned with an appearance from the bench on Saturday to bulk up the manager's forward options once more.

Meanwhile, the visitors have been hit by a number of injuries as of late, with at least three players expected to miss out on Tuesday.

Conor McGrandles, Chris Maguire and Tom Hopper are unlikely to be available again, but could be boosted by Liam Bridcutt potentially returning after he only just missed out on the weekend win over Burton.

Regan Poole was also a doubt for Saturday's game, but was fit enough to take a place in the starting lineup so will be available again.

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

Lincoln City possible starting lineup:
Griffiths; Poole, Montsma, Eyoma, Robson; Sorensen, Bridcutt, Fiorini; Adelakun, N'Lundulu, Scully

We say: Morecambe 1-1 Lincoln City

These two sides seem fairly evenly matched heading into this one, despite their differences in quality last season. Their similar starts to the season have us predicting a draw between the two.