We return to the Mazuma Mobile Stadium as we push on with our Sky Bet League Two campaign against MK Dons.
Morecambe will be looking to replicate last weekend's performance on Saturday 23 December as they face MK Dons at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium.
Confidence will be high in the Shrimps’ camp following an enjoyable trip to South Yorkshire last weekend, where hosts Doncaster Rovers were on the receiving end of a 5-0 thrashing by a dominant Morecambe side. Two goals from Michael Mellon, a vicious strike from Eli King, a Jacob Bedeau goal, and a David Tutonda piledriver contributing to the Shrimps' five-goal haul. Tutonda's strike was arguably the pick of the bunch, the defender finishing off a glorious Shrimps move with a thunderous strike into the top corner.
Fortunes were similar south down the M1, where MK Dons saw off a struggling Forest Green side, with two first half goals from Max Dean and Jack Payne securing the hosts a 2-0 victory.
Saturday's visitors have had the better of the results over the last few seasons, with the Shrimps' last victory over MK Dons coming in the March of 2019. The last meeting of the sides came in the March of the 2022-23 Sky Bet League One campaign, where a Jonathan Leko goal gave the hosts a 1-0 victory.
The Opposition
Following their relegation from Sky Bet League One last season, the Dons have had a mixed start to their League Two campaign.
Mike Williamson’s men find themselves in 11th position – eight wins, six draws and six losses leaving the Dons on 30 points.
Williamson has been in charge at Stadium MK since October of this year, where he joined as Head Coach following a four-year spell.
Key Players
19-year-old striker Max Dean has proven to be a dangerous asset for the Dons this season. In his 17 appearances this season he has bagged nine goals, placing him at the top of the scoring standings for MK Dons.
Captain Dean Lewington could also equal John Trollope’s record for the most league appearances for one club in English history if he plays on Saturday. He currently sits on 769 league appearances, making up a large chunk of his 890 total appearances for the club.
The Man in the Middle
Lewis Smith will be the man in black on Saturday afternoon, officiating his 24th game of the season. Smith is no stranger to bookings, brandishing 96 yellow cards so far this season, with an additional five players given their marching orders. Six of these cards came in August, when Smith oversaw Morecambe as they put three goals past Bradford City at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium.
Darren Williams and Kevin Mulraine will run the line, with Johnathon Bickerdike the fourth official on Saturday.
Ged Brannan’s Pre-Match Thoughts
Morecambe manager spoke ahead of Saturday's clash.
"We won't go into the game like we're on a roll, we'll go into the game prepared properly and we will play the game we want to play," he said.
"They're a really good footballing team and so are we, so it should be a great game to watch."
"In life confidence is massive, but especially in football, if you're full of confidence you do things better and quicker without even thinking about it. Hopefully the lads are feeling the confidence but only to a certain level, and know we've got a tough game and we will have to be right at it."
Team News
Stu Moore and Donald Love remain sidelined for the Shrimps, with their respective injuries.
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