After failing to win their last five matches, relegation-threatened Morecambe will look to return to winning ways when they host Oxford United at the Mazuma Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Like their hosts, Oxford are also enduring a poor run of form, having picked up just one point from their previous 10 matches.

Match preview

Charlton Athletic produced an excellent performance to demolish struggling Morecambe 4-1 at the Mazuma Stadium on Tuesday evening.

A brace from Corey Blackett-Taylor and goals from Miles Leaburn and Scott Fraser gave Dean Holden's side a convincing win in the League One clash.

That defeat leaves Derek Adams's side languishing in the relegation zone in 22nd place on 33 points, two points adrift of safety of Accrington Stanley, who sit just outside the drop zone and have played two games less than the Shrimps.

Although Morecambe are winless in 13 away league games, they have proven to be a tough team to beat on home turf, losing just two of their last 13 home matches in the third tier.

New Oxford United manager Liam Manning saw his relegation-threatened team beaten 3-2 by a Louie Sibley-inspired Derby County at Kassam Stadium.

Sam Long scored at both ends of the pitch as his header gave the U's the lead before playoff-chasing Derby hit back impressively courtesy of Sibley.

Long's own goal then sealed the points for the Rams, before substitute Kyle Joseph pulled one back with a precise left-footed shot at the death for Oxford, but it was nothing more than a consolation.

The U's enter this match just outside the relegation zone in 19th place on 36 points, three points clear of MK Dons and Morecambe, and if they are to survive the drop, Manning will know that his side need to pick up points quickly.

Oxford have picked up 18 points from as many games on their travels this season – they have exactly the same record at the Kassam Stadium - but Manning's priority will be getting his team ready for what feels like a must-win game away against fellow strugglers Morecambe this Saturday.

Team News

Jake Taylor, Max Melbourne and Jacob Bedeau are all sidelined for the hosts, while Michael Mellon has been ruled out of the season with a shoulder injury.

Former Everton striker Oumar Niasse, who joined the club on a short-term deal last week, came off the bench to make his debut on Saturday and led the line against Charlton in midweek, so he could retain his place in the starting XI here.

Oxford are expected to be without the services of Sam Baldock, Josh Murphy and Billy Bodin, while Tyler Smith was welcomed back into the squad after injury for last weekend's defeat against Derby.

Cameron Brannagan looks set to keep his place in the engine room as he is the U's top scorer in League One this season with eight strikes.

Morecambe possible starting lineup:
Ripley; Love, Rawson, Simeu, Gibson; Weir, Shaw; Hunter, Crowley, Mayor; Niasse

Oxford United possible starting lineup:
Eastwood; Long, Moore, Findlay, Brown; Bate, Brannagan, McGuane; Anderson, O'Donkor, Browne

We say: Morecambe 1-1 Oxford United

Both sides are in poor veins of form, and neither can afford to lose this crucial match, so we think both teams will play it safe.

There is not a lot to split both sides, so we can see the spoils being shared in a tightly-contested affair.


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