Wycombe Wanderers have enjoyed a fine start to the 2021-22 campaign, currently sitting sixth in League One, but their visitors on Saturday will be aiming to extend their unbeaten run.
Morecambe enter this clash at Adams Park having won two and drawn one in their latest three domestic outings, and lengthening that run to four games unbeaten would be their best string of results so far this season.
Match preview
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Gareth Ainsworth's side were in dreamland when they went 1-0 ahead at the Etihad stadium against Manchester City just over a week ago, but they eventually suffered a heavy 6-1 defeat.
Wanderers did not bounce back from that result well, as their next domestic outing ended in a 1-0 loss at the hands of MK Dons, who are an early playoff rival.
However, Wycombe got back on track last time out when they travelled to face a struggling Shrewsbury Town side, and the Chairboys sealed a 2-1 win.
The home side on that day created more chances on goal than their visitors, but strikes from Joe Jacobson and Ryan Tafazolli were enough for Wycombe to secure their fifth victory of the campaign.
Looking forward to this weekend's match, Wycombe will be full of confidence having won three out of three at Adams Park at the beginning of this season.
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Morecambe, on the other hand, have only managed one win away from home after four attempts so far, but that is unlikely to faze Steve Robinson's side due to the positive run of form they have started to put together.
Last time out, the Shrimps were efficient in front of goal, with Cole Stockton and Scott Wootton finishing the only two shots the home side registered on target, to record a 2-0 win for Morecambe against Lincoln.
Morecambe's attacking threat is evident to see, though, as they are currently the fourth-highest scorers in League One this campaign, netting 17 times in 10 matches.
Striker Stockton is leading the goalscoring tally after finishing nine chances so far, two better than any other player in the division, and he will be looking to score in his third consecutive fixture on Saturday.
Robinson's side could leapfrog Wycombe on goal difference with a win at Adams Park on Saturday, but the Chairboys could have their sights set on the top two, as three points this weekend could see them catch Wigan in the automatic promotion places.
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Team News
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Wycombe centre-back Anthony Stewart was shown a straight red card against MK Dons last weekend, but that was overturned after the club appealed against it, and the 29-year-old went back into the starting 11 last time out against Shrewsbury.
Ainsworth is expected to name a defensive back three consisting of Jacobson, Tafazolli and Stewart, while Welsh forward Sam Vokes is likely to lead the line alongside Brandon Hanlan.
Wanderers' three midfielders, Sullay Kaikai, Curtis Thompson and Josh Scowen, all earned high ratings in their last outing, and the home side could name the same team after a positive result.
Morecambe's Shane McLoughlin was sent off against Accrington Stanley last week and he will remain absent from the squad as he continues to serve his suspension.
Apart from the enforced change, which saw Alfie McCalmont replace the suspended McLoughlin in midfield, Robinson named the same starting team for their last outing, and the manager is expected to do so again in the hope that consistent team news helps continue this unbeaten run.
That will mean that Stockton will be assisted by Wes McDonald and Arthur Gnahoua in a front three, with Adam Phillips, Toumani Diagouraga and McCalmont operating as the midfield unit behind them.
Wycombe Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Stockdale, Jacobson, Tafazolli, Stewart; McCarthy, KaiKai, Thompson, Scowen, Grimmer; Hanlan, Vokes
Morecambe possible starting lineup:
Letheren; Gibson, Wootton, O'Connor, McLaughlin; McCalmont, Diagouraga, Phillips; Gnahoua, Stockton, McDonald
We say: Wycombe Wanderers 2-1 Morecambe
Wycombe have the quality to end Morecambe's unbeaten run, but the visitors will test the home side and are likely to get onto the scoresheet.
The Chairboys will want to continue their 100% record at Adams Park this season, and if they are serious contenders for the playoff positions come the end of the season, they need to beat teams that are below them in the table.
Top tip
Data Analysis
Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Wycombe Wanderers win with a probability of 40.77%. A win for Morecambe had a probability of 32.56% and a draw had a probability of 26.7%.
The most likely scoreline for a Wycombe Wanderers win was 1-0 with a probability of 10.74%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-1 (8.58%) and 2-0 (7.27%). The likeliest Morecambe win was 0-1 (9.37%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (12.67%). The actual scoreline of 4-3 was predicted with a 0.3% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted that Wycombe Wanderers would win this match.
