Morecambe kick off 2023 at the Mazuma Stadium against Burton Albion for a New Years Day fixture in Sky Bet League One.
The Shrimps made it five unbeaten on home turf in their last game of 2022 on Thursday with a 2-0 win over Lancashire rivals Accrington Stanley. First half goals from Liam Shaw and Jensen Weir earned Derek Adams’ side three points in the derby.
Burton ended 2022 with a win on Thursday, they beat Forest Green 2-1 away from home.
The Opposition
The Brewers sit 20th in League One after 24 games. They’ve picked up five wins, seven draws and 12 defeats, accumulating 22 points.
Albion were promoted to the EFL in 2009 and have held their position in the Football League since then. The Brewers were promoted to League One under Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in 2015 and finished runners up the following season, securing back to back promotions. Burton held their own in their first season in the second tier but were relegated on the final day of the following season and have remained in League One since 2018.
The Staffordshire outfit are managed by Dino Maamria. The Tunisian began his management career in the EFL when he took charge of Stevenage in 2018. Ten days after being relieved from his duties in Hertfordshire, he was appointed Oldham boss in September 2019. Maamria left Boundary Park in the summer of 2020 and was appointed Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s assistant at Burton in 2021. Hasselbaink resigned from his post in September, allowing the 48-year-old to take the role.
Key Players
Victor Adeboyejo has been the star man for the Brewers this season. The Nigerian has 11 goals and two assists so far, and is Albion’s top scorer. Adeboyejo spent most of his youth career in London with Arsenal, AFC Wimbldon, Charlton and Leyton Orient. In 2017, he made the move north to Barnsley and was loaned out to Bristol Rovers and Cambridge in that time. The 24-year-old joined Burton in July and is by far having the most prolific season of his career.
Davis Keillor-Dunn has scored five so far for Albion this season. The midfielder has played for clubs in England, Scotland and Wales and was most successful at Oldham. Keillor-Dunn spent two years in Greater Manchester scoring 25 goals in 87 games. The 25-year-old was awarded League Two Player of the Month in February after scoring five goals in four games for the Latics. The Englishman joined Burton in the summer upon the expiry of his contract at Oldham.
Highly experienced defender John Brayford is one of Burton’s longest serving players. Brayford played for the Brewers between 2006-2008 at the start of his career and spent time at Crewe, Derby, Cardiff and Sheffield United before the Blades loaned him back to Burton in 2016. Following a successful loan spell he moved to Staffordshire in 2017. This season, the 35-year-old has made 22 appearances and scored twice. His most recent goal contribution was in Albion’s last game in their win over Forest Green.
Derek Adams’ Thoughts
Speaking after the win over Accrington, Shrimps boss Derek Adams wants Morecambe’s good form at the Mazuma to continue on Sunday.
“The five games we’ve had here undefeated is great for the supporters,” he said.
“They came here in the numbers and its fantastic to see us competing in League One. It’s a tough league.”
Team News
Max Melbourne is likely to be unavailable on Sunday after picking up a hamstring injury against Accrington. Jake Taylor, Ash Hunter and Courtney Duffus remain side-lined with injury.
Meet The Officials
Robert Lewis will be in charge of Sunday’s fixture and will be assisted by Daniel Woodward and Alex Gray. Ed Duckworth is the fourth official.
Lewis has officiated 19 games this season, eight in League One, seven in League Two, two in the Papa Johns Trophy and one in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup respectively.
The official’s most recently refereed the Shrimps in April when he was the man in the middle for Morecambe’s 2-1 win over Oxford.
Admission
Tickets for the fixture remain on sale until kick-off, with the club shop open from 12pm (midday).
Watch Live
If you're not making the trip to the Mazuma Stadium, match passes can be purchased to watch the fixture live.
