Morecambe return to the Mazuma Stadium on Saturday 12 November to take on Portsmouth in Sky Bet League One.
The Shrimps bowed out of the Carabao Cup in their last game, a 2-0 defeat at MK Dons. Derek Adams’ side have been showing good form at home recently with a 1-0 win against Barnsley before a 1-1 draw against Derby County in their last home game at the start of November.
Portsmouth progressed to the second round of the Emirates FA Cup in their last game with a 3-1 win away to National League North side Hereford.
The Opposition
Pompey sit fifth in League One with seven wins, six draws and two defeats from their 15 league games so far.
Like many of the teams in League One this season, Portsmouth have spent time at the top level of English football. Pompey are two-time First Division champions and have won all of England’s top four divisions at least once. The Hampshire side have also had their fair share of domestic cup success, winning the FA Cup twice, most recently in 2008 as well as winning the Papa Johns Trophy in 2019.
Portsmouth are managed by Danny Cowley who secured Lincoln City’s promotion to the EFL in 2016 as well as taking the Imps on a famous FA Cup run. Cowley made Lincoln the first non-league club to reach the quarter final of the FA Cup in over a century in a run which included wins against Ipswich, Brighton and Burnley. Since leaving Lincoln, Cowley spent two years at Huddersfield before joining Portsmouth in March 2021.
Key Players
Midfielder Colby Bishop has been Portsmouth’s most dangerous man in front of goal so far this season. The 26-year-old has ten goals and two assists in the campaign and most recently netted against Hereford in the FA Cup last weekend as well as getting an assist. Bishop’s latest league goal was in a 1-1 draw against Oxford United at the end of October.
Winger Ronan Curtis has been a threat going forward for Pompey since he moved to Fratton Park in 2018. Curtis has 41 goals in the 173 appearances for Portsmouth and has four goals and two assists so far this season. The 26-year-old has also been called up to represent his county at youth and senior level. Curtis has made seven appearances for Northern Ireland since 2018.
Defender Connor Ogilvie has an impressive goal record for a defender this season. Ogilvie has three goals for Pompey and will make his 50th league appearance for Pompey if he features in their game against Derby next Friday. The 26-year-old had two loan spells with Stevenage and Gillingham respectively before joining the Gills permanently in 2019 where he spent two years before moving to Fratton Park in 2021.
Danny Cowley’s Pre-Match Thoughts
Portsmouth boss Danny Cowley told Pompey’s YouTube channel he is looking forward to a competitive game at the Mazuma Stadium on Saturday.
“It’s a great game for us, one that we’re really looking forward to,” he said.
“I think there’s a lot to like in the Morecambe team, it’s a really determined, resilient group.
“Their home form has been good in recent games, they beat Barnsley 1-0 and drew with Derby County as well so we’re anticipating a tough game.”
Team News
Donald Love, Shane McLoughlin, Max Melbourne and Jake Taylor have all been back in training this week but won’t be available at the weekend.
Both Courtney Duffus and Ash Hunter remain on the treatment table.
Meet The Officials
Adam Herczeg will take charge of Saturday’s game and will be assisted by Abbas Khan and Oliver Bickle with Anthony Moore on the side-line as fourth official.
Herczeg has refereed 12 games across the EFL this season with five in League One, three in the Papa John’s Trophy, two in League One and one in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup respectively.
Saturday will be the first time he has taken charge of a Morecambe game.
Ticket Details
Tickets for the fixture remain on sale up until the 3pm kick-off. They can be purchased online or via the Club Shop.
Listen Live
iFollow Shrimps will be on hand to guide you through the action, with Dave Salmon and Tom Collins providing full match commentary.
To buy your audio match pass, click here.