Two teams that ended last season on equal footing yet taking vastly different paths this term will meet this weekend as Notts County host Morecambe on matchday 31 of League Two.
Both sides finished the 2023-24 campaign tied on 61 points in mid-table, but while Notts have kicked on, now sitting third with 50 points from 28 games, the Shrimps have struggled, sinking to 22nd with just 23 from 29 matches.
Match preview
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Notts boosted their automatic promotion hopes with a 2-1 victory over Gillingham at Priestfield, securing back-to-back league wins and extending their unbeaten run to five.
It was a moment of redemption for the Magpies, who had suffered their first defeat of the campaign to the same opponent in the reverse fixture last September - a result that halted a six-match unbeaten streak including four consecutive triumphs.
That setback marked the beginning of an inconsistent spell for Notts, who only managed three wins in their next seven matches before the struggles deepened, with Stuart Maynard's side going on a five-match drought.
However, since then, the Magpies have rediscovered their rhythm, winning seven of their last nine games — a run that includes their current unbeaten streak.
Looking to maintain this momentum, Notts will seek inspiration from their recent dominant performance against Morecambe at Meadow Lane, cruising to a 5-0 win in their last meeting at the ground.
Victory on Saturday would see the hosts record consecutive home victories in this fixture for the first time ever.
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Unlike Notts, Morecambe have endured a torrid journey this campaign, one marred by long winless streaks, with only occasional victories offering fleeting hope.
The Shrimps' season began disastrously, failing to win any of their first 10 matches, including five straight losses, four draws and another reverse, before a brief respite in the form of a triumph at Barrow was quickly undone by three successive losses.
While Morecambe fared better in their next 10 encounters, inconsistency lingered, as four wins in that period were interrupted by a four-game winless streak.
After three straight defeats, the Shrimps' hopes of revival flickered when they stunned Fleetwood 4-2, but a 2-1 loss to Newport in their most recent outing halted their resurgence.
Heading into the weekend, manager Derek Adams can take comfort in the fact that 14 of his side's 23 points have come on the road, and they will look to use this as a boost in their fight for survival.
Team News
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With no injury or suspension concerns, Notts manager Maynard could stick with the same unbeaten side, with Alassana Jatta leading the line alongside David McGoldrick and Charlie Whitaker in a three-man attack.
Jatta and McGoldrick are tied as the league's third-highest scorers with 13 goals each, level with Wimbledon's Matty Stevens and two behind leader Nathan Lowe of Walsall, as they continue their push in the Golden Boot race.
For the visitors, Lee Angol remains unavailable after serving a three-match suspension for his red card in the defeat to Colchester United.
Marcus Dackers has started up front in the last two games during Angol's absence, and the 23-year-old Welsh striker is likely to retain his place this weekend, with Harvey Macadam operating just behind him in a three-man attacking midfield alongside Andy Dallas and Callum Cooke.
Notts County possible starting lineup:
Bass; McDonald, Platt, Bedeau; Tsaroulla, Abbott, Palmer, Jones; Whitaker, Jatta, McGoldrick
Morecambe possible starting lineup:
Burgoyne; Hendrie, Taylor, Stott, Tutonda; Songo'o, Hope; Dallas, Macadam, Cooke; Dackers
We say: Notts County 3-1 Morecambe
While the margin may not be as heavy as their last meeting at Meadow Lane, Morecambe's decent form on their travels is unlikely to spare them from a tough test against an in-form Notts, who have won seven of their last nine matches; hence, we predict a victory for the home side.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adeyeye Oluwapelumi
