The Shrimps travel to The Weston Homes Stadium to face Peterborough United in what is the Club's first away trip of the 2022/23 Sky Bet League One campaign.
Derek Adams' men gained a point in last Saturday's season opener, in what was a tightly contested affair with Shrewsbury Town at the Mazuma. Both sides were able to carve out a number of strong chances without finding the back of the net. Dylan Connolly coming closest for Morecambe, but his 26th minute one-on-one strike was saved at close range by Marko Marosi in the visitors goal.
The Posh enjoyed an opening day victory over Cheltenham Town, with goals from Jack Marriott and a Jonson Clarke-Harris brace proving enough to complete a comeback from two down against Wade Elliott's Robins.
The Opposition
After picking up maximum points on the opening day, United find themselves second in League One, level on points with leaders Wycombe Wanderers, who have a slightly better goal difference than the Posh.
Grant McCann's men spent the 2021/22 campaign in the Championship, and after winning nine games, drawing 10 and losing 27, they were pipped to survival by Reading who finished only four points above the Posh.
Formally an Assistant Manager for the Cambridgeshire side, McCann is into his fourth stint at Peterborough having previously spent time as a Caretaker Manager (September 2015) and Manager (April 2016-February 2018) before arriving back at The Weston Homes Stadium in February this year.
Key Players
Stiker Jonson Clarke-Harris netted 12 goals in 44 appearances in all competitions last season and also provided three assists. The 28-year-old first spent a year with United in 2012, but was sent out on loan at Southend United and Bury respectively, before departing permanently for Oldham Athletic. Following a season with the Latics, Clarke-Harris enjoyed spells with Rotherham United, MK Dons, Doncaster Rovers, Coventry City and Bristol Rovers before landing back with the Posh in the summer of 2020. The Jamaican-international has scored 108 goals in 360 career appearances to-date, and is proven to punish teams when given half a chance.
Midfielder Joe Ward provided two assists for United during a 45 minute appearance on the opening day, proving himself a valuable assett for this Peterborough team. As well as boasting 164 EFL appearances, 38 of which came in last season's Championship campaign, the 26-year-old featured in Lincoln City's famous 1-0 FA Cup Fifth Round victory over then-Premier League outfit Burnley. Ward has enjoyed his FA Cup so far, having starred against the likes of Premier League giants Arsenal and Manchester City.
Ben Thompson arrived in the summer following a six-month spell with Gillingham. Prior to his time in Kent, the 26-year-old spent eight years with Millwall, racking up an impressive 173 appearances in all competitions for the Lions, scoring 12 goals and providing four assists. The versatile Thompson has the ability of playing as a number 8 or a number 10, can be aggressive when required and isn't afraid to drive at opposition players with the ball at his feet.
Shrimps’ Pre-Match Thoughts
Ahead of Morecambe's trip to the Weston Homes Stadium, manager Derek Adams was full of praise for Grant McCann's side.
"They're one of the clubs in this league if you're an up-and-coming team, you have to look to," he said.
"They've got some talented players in the side, they were 2-0 down last week, they got it back and won 3-2 so we understand the problems they can cause us."
Meet the Officials
Dean Whitestone will take charge of Saturday's fixture, with Mark Dwyer and Rob Smith running the lines, and Ruebyn Ricardo taking the role of Fourth Official.
On the opening day, the Northamptonshire-based official, who has officiated over 400 games across all four divisions in the EFL, refereed Hull City's 2-1 home win over Bristol City.
The last time Whitestone took charge of the Shrimps was in November 2018, where Morecambe played out a 1-1 draw at home against Notts Country.