In-form Salford City will be aiming to claim their fourth consecutive win in League Two at the Peninsula Stadium when they host Morecambe in Sunday's gameweek 23 encounter.
The visiting side head into the fixture with a solitary win in their last six matches in all competitions, a record they will be looking to improve before the turn of the year.
Match preview
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Salford claimed their third consecutive victory with a 3-0 win over Barrow in round 22 of League Two at the Peninsula Stadium on Thursday.
Karl Robinson's team laid down a marker in the encounter with two first-half goals to signal their intention of claiming all the spoils on the day.
Luke Garbutt got the hosts in front with a fine effort in the 21st minute, before Tyrese Fornah added a second in the 33rd minute.
Kylian Kouassi made sure of all three points with another goal for the Ammies with 10 minutes left on the clock.
With their latest triumph, the hosts have now won their last three matches in the league and four of the last five fixtures in all competitions.
The hosts had one of the worst home records of the 2023-24 season (five wins, eight draws and 10 losses), amassing 23 points on their patch; however, there has been a remarkable turnaround in their fortunes at the Peninsula Stadium this term, with seven wins and four losses in front of their fans in the first half of the season.
Another triumph on Sunday for the Ammies will see them complete a four-game winning streak for the first time since April 2022.
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Meanwhile, Morecambe claimed their first victory across six matches in all competitions by edging Carlisle 1-0 in the relegation scrap at Brunton Park on Thursday.
After a profligate display by both sides in the first 45 minutes, Gwion Edwards's close-range effort in the 61st minute secured all three points for the visitors.
That victory snapped their winless run in the league, which had stretched back to a 3-2 win at Swindon Town in gameweek 17.
In his third spell as Morecambe manager, Derek Adams will hope his team can build on their latest result to claim another win on Sunday; however, that seems like a herculean task, given that they have lost in their last three trips to the Peninsula Stadium and the fine form of the hosts.
Having finished 15th last season, it has been a dismal campaign for the Shrimps, who have picked up only 17 points from 22 matches to sit second-bottom in the table, two points from safety.
Morecambe's defensive weakness is central to their travails this season, as the visitors have shipped the most goals in the league this term (38) — two more than Accrington Stanley, Swindon Town and Newport County, with 36 conceded respectively.
The fixture slated for Sunday is seemingly daunting for the visitors; however, they can take inspiration from their 1-0 Boxing Day success at Carlisle United.
Although the Shrimps have lost in their last three fixtures away to Salford, they have lost only once on the road in their last five away days (three wins, one draw and one loss) in League Two this term, offering the travelling fans hope heading into Sunday.
Team News
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After a run of six goals in six matches, Cole Stockton fired blanks in their last outing; however, the forward is still expected to start up top.
Meanwhile, Fornah is suspended for this encounter after receiving his marching orders against Barrow; in his absence, Hakeeb Adelakun is expected to step up and fill the void.
Dan Chester remains on the sidelines with a cruciate ligament injury he suffered in October.
For the visitors, Harry Burgoyne is expected to keep his place between the sticks, with first-choice goalkeeper Stuart Moore on the injury list.
Similarly, Adams will be without forward Charlie Brown, who is still on the mend after suffering a long-term injury.
However, Ben Tollitt, who has six goals and two assists to his name this season, is available for selection, and he is expected to be named in the starting XI.
Salford City possible starting lineup:
Young; Garbutt, Negru, Shephard; Bekoe, Adelakun, Ashley, Mnoga; McAleny, Lund; Stockton
Morecambe possible starting lineup:
Burgoyne; Hendrie, Williams, Stott, Tutonda; White, Jones; Tollitt, Macadam, Edwards; Dackers
We say: Salford City 2-0 Morecambe
Salford have been enjoying a fine run of form, which is highlighted by three consecutive wins at home.
Furthermore, the hosts have emerged victorious in their last three meetings at the Peninsula Stadium.
Therefore, the Ammies could claim a 2-0 win on Sunday.
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