On Saturday afternoon, Barrow will host Morecambe at Holker Street as the visitors seek their first victory of the 2024-25 League Two season. While Morecambe finds themselves at the bottom of the table, Barrow is positioned high up in third, making for an intriguing encounter.
Match Preview
Barrow: The Bluebirds narrowly missed out on the League Two playoffs last season, finishing just one point behind the top seven. This season, they have made a strong start, accumulating 19 points from 10 matches. However, their recent form has dipped, with four losses in their last five matches across all competitions. Despite this, Barrow managed a 2-1 victory against Cheltenham last weekend, which they will look to build upon as they aim for promotion.
Morecambe: The Shrimps have struggled significantly this season, sitting at the bottom of the table with only four points from 10 matches. They have drawn four times and suffered six defeats, indicating a desperate need for a win. Despite their woes in the league, Morecambe did record a 4-2 victory against Nottingham Forest Under-21s in the EFL Trophy, giving them a much-needed confidence boost. Manager Derek Adams is aware that his side must start converting draws into wins to avoid falling further behind.
Team News
Barrow: Head coach Stephen Clemence is expected to revert to a more familiar lineup after rotating players in their EFL Trophy match. Emile Acquah will lead the attack, having scored twice in League Two this season. Theo Vassell, the team’s leading goalscorer with three goals, will anchor the defense. With no new injury concerns, Barrow will likely field the same XI that played against Cheltenham.
Morecambe: Following their EFL Trophy success, Morecambe will make some changes. Ben Tollitt, who scored twice in the last match, is likely to keep his place in the attack. Hallam Hope may drop to the bench despite his strong performance, while Marcus Dackers, yet to score this season, is expected to start at center-forward. There are doubts regarding Lee Angol’s fitness, which could affect Morecambe’s attacking options.
Predicted Lineups
Barrow (4-2-3-1):
- Stanway; Feely, Vassell, Stokes, Jackson; Spence, Campbell; Popov, Foley, Newby; Acquah
Morecambe (4-2-3-1):
- Moore; Williams, Stott, Tutonda; Hendrie, Songo’o, Jones, A. Lewis; Tollitt, P. Lewis, Dackers
Prediction
While Morecambe has shown resilience in their recent matches, Barrow’s solid start to the season and home advantage make them the favorites for this encounter. The Bluebirds are expected to secure a crucial three points, further solidifying their promotion ambitions.
Predicted Score: Barrow 2-1 Morecambe.
