The Shrimps are back in action as they take on Burton Albion at the Mazuma Stadium on Saturday 2 April.

Morecambe are back after an extended break and will be looking for a win after their last outing at Wigan Athletic. A goal each from Josh Magennis, Jason Kerr, Will Keane and Stephen Humphrys, despite a penalty from Dylan Connolly, saw the Lactics run out 4-1 winners.

Morecambe have played the Brewers 14 times since 2009, 12 of those matches taking place in League Two. They have four wins, two draws and eight losses against the side.

The reverse fixture at the Pirelli Stadium saw a 3-2 defeat. Liam Gibson put the Shrimps ahead in the first three minutes, but Thomas O’Connor managed to level proceedings just two minutes later for the home side. Burton pulled ahead less than 10 minutes later with a goal from Conor Shaughnessy, and a second from O’Connor was enough to take the win, despite a last-minute header from Cole Stockton.

The Opposition

Burton Albion are currently sat in 17^th place in the table, and have one win in their last five games. Despite multiple attempts, the Brewers couldn’t find the back of the net in their last League match away at Charlton Athletic, and goals from Conor Washington and Corey Blackett-Taylor had the hosts claiming all three points.

Manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink spent his playing career at Dutch clubs DWS and Telstar, Atlético Madrid and various clubs across the UK. He also has 23 caps for the Netherlands national squad. The former striker made the move to English team Leeds United in 1997, and had since been signed to Chelsea, Middlesbrough, Charlton Athletic and Cardiff City, before his retirement at the age of 36.

Hasslebaink was part of the coaching staff at Nottingham Forrest until the dismissal of Sean O’Driscoll in 2013, and that same year was appointed manager of newly relegated Belgian Second Division club Royal Antwerp. In 2014, he signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with Burton Albion, where he guided the Club to promotion to League One for the first time in their history. The 50-year-old spent time at Queens Park Rangers and Northampton Town before re-joining the Brewers for the second time at the beginning of this 2021.

Key Players 

Cameron Borthwick-Jackson began playing for Fletcher Moss Rangers before joining Manchester United’s Academy at the age of six, and signed a senior contract in 2015. During his time at Old Trafford, the 25-year-old made appearances in the FA Youth Cup, and had spells on loan at Wolverhampton Wanderers, Leeds United and Scunthorpe United. Following his release from the Red Devils, Borthwick-Jackson joined Oldham Athletic on a one-year deal, which led to his arrival at Burton Albion in June 2021.

Oumar Niasse has been with the Brewers for less than two months, and has made six appearances in their last seven games. Niasse signed from Championship side Huddersfield Town and has previously played at clubs such as Everton, Hull City and Cardiff Town. Born in Senegal, he began his career at home town club US Ouakam, where he helped the team win the Second League title by scoring 21 goals in his first professional season. He also has nine caps for the Senegal National team between 2013 and 2018.

Adedeji Oshilaja progressed through Cardiff City’s Academy and began his senior career with the club. Oshilaja made appearances for Newport County, Sheffield Wednesday and AFC Wimbledon, and had three spells on loan at fellow League One side Gillingham. The defender went on to sign contracts with AFC Wimbledon and Charlton Athletic, before joining the Brewers in June last year.

Pre-Match Thoughts 

With seven Sky Bet League One games to play this season, manager Derek Adams says he knows what his side must do if they're to remain in Sky Bet League One.

"We know we've got tough games in it [the run in]," he said.

"I think we'll definitely need three wins between now and the end of the season.

"That would take us over the 40 point mark, and I see other teams being able to do that, we'll have to win a good number of our games remaining.

"I think every game we go in to is must win, there's not a game we can go in to and think that we can play for a draw, we have to win the game, the three points are vital at this stage of the season." 

Meet the Officials

Paul Howard will be the man in the middle on Saturday, and will be assisted by linesmen Christopher Ward and Anthony Moore, with James Devine completing the line-up as Fourth Official.

So far this season, the Londoner has taken charge of 27 games and has handed out 87 yellow cards and five red cards.

Howard has refereed games for both teams, the last match for Morecambe was against Grimbsy Town in 2021, where the Shrimps walked away with a 3-0 victory.

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Can’t make it to the Mazuma Stadium to back the boys against Burton Albion on Saturday afternoon? Not a problem!