Preview: Morecambe vs. Gillingham - prediction, team news, lineups

A crucial game in the fight for survival in League One takes place on Saturday, when 21st-placed Morecambe welcome 22nd-placed Gillingham to the Globe Arena in Lancashire.

The hosts currently sit four points above their visitors, and just one point away from safety, while Gillingham cannot afford to lose this weekend, as that could potentially leave them eight points adrift of Morecambe.

Match preview

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Steve Robinson's side have only managed one win in their last seven matches, and that run was continued on Tuesday when they fell to a 2-1 defeat against Lincoln City.

Toumani Diagouraga managed to pull a goal back for Morecambe early in the second half, but the damage had already been done in that game as Lincoln went into the break 2-0 to the good.

Continuing to lose those sort of matches will leave Morecambe in a difficult situation, as the three points that went to Lincoln in midweek allowed them to go five points clear of the Shrimps.

Another game against a team around them in the table means that Saturday is a must-win encounter for both sides, but Morecambe have the added incentive of potentially climbing out of the drop zone with three points.

Robinson's side have been a lot stronger at home than they have been on their travels this season, while Gillingham have struggled on the road, suggesting that the hosts are favourites this weekend.

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New Gillingham boss Neil Harris has managed to win two out of three of his first matches in the dugout at the Priestfield Stadium, also keeping two clean sheets in those victories.

After shipping seven goals against Oxford United last month, tightening up the defence would have been one of Harris's first jobs, and he has seemingly done so after recording another 1-0 win on Tuesday.

Gillingham limited Cambridge United to very few chances on goal in midweek, but the hosts did have to wait until the 86th minute for Vadaine Oliver to find the winning goal.

After a 100% start to his Gills career on home soil, Harris will be looking for his side to claim their first away win under his management this weekend, which would be only the team's second win on the road all season.

Saturday's visitors did get the better of Morecambe in the reverse fixture earlier this campaign, winning 2-1 thanks to goals from Mustapha Carayol and Oliver.

Team News

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Morecambe goalkeeper Trevor Carson was forced off after just 23 minutes earlier this month against Sheffield Wednesday, but the 33-year-old made his return between the posts last time out and is certain to retain his place in the starting 11.

Dylan Connolly came into the front three on Tuesday, but Arthur Gnahoua is expected to come back into the side, looking to add to his six goal contributions this campaign.

Striker Cole Stockton made up for his penalty miss with a goal three minutes later last weekend against Bolton, and he will continue to lead the line for the hosts.

Gillingham winger Carayol was forced off deep into stoppage time at the end of the first half against Crewe Alexandra at the beginning of this month, and he will continue to be absent from the Gills' squad due to injury.

The visitors are expected to operate in a 3-5-2 formation, with Oliver and Charlie Kelman leading the line, the latter looking for his first goal for the club since rejoining on loan from Queens Park Rangers.

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

Gillingham possible starting lineup:
Chapman; Masterson, Ehmer, Tucker; Tutonda, Thompson, Lee, O'Keefe, McKenzie; Kelman, Oliver

We say: Morecambe 1-2 Gillingham

Gillingham have been boosted by new manager Harris, and that could be the difference between the two sides on Saturday, with Morecambe winless in their last four outings.

Having scored two goals in Harris's first three games, Gillingham are likely to have worked on being more clinical in the final third, but they are unlikely to keep another clean sheet given their poor defensive record this season.

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