Our Halloween Spooktacular promises to be a hair-raising affair…
For information on ticketing, parking, opening times, matchday events and everything else, please take a read of our What’s On guide.
- Onto the game…
Mark Sampson’s tenure as Interim Stevenage boss has seen his side increase their points per game from 0.43 to 0.75, but still find themselves bottom of the EFL. After victory over Grimsby last time at The Lamex Stadium, two road games at Port Vale and Swindon saw Boro pick up the solitary point – which could have been more if not for a last-minute goal at The County Ground.
Stevenage will look to build on the last result at home with another win on Saturday to take them off the base of the league.
Morecambe will come to SG2 fearless though, after their last away trip to Colchester resulted in an astounding 1-0 win, thanks to a Cole Stockton strike. That win was The Shrimps’ first win in all competitions since August.
However early in the season Saturday’s fixture may be, a win for either side would be the perfect catalyst for a run of form to propel either Mark Sampson or Jim Bentley’s side away from the relegation zone.
- One to Watch…
After being sent-off on Tuesday night in the home defeat to Forest Green, Morecambe’s star man Lewis Alessandra will miss Saturday’s game through suspension.
A player not suspended, however, is Cole Stockton. The striker returned to Morecambe in the summer, having played for The Shrimps on loan from Tranmere Rovers in 2016.
Stockton bagged his first goal for Jim Bentley’s side last Saturday at Colchester, with Morecambe fans hoping this will kick start his goal-scoring season.
- Officials...
Referee: Kevin Johnson
Assistant Referee 1: Anthony Da Costa
Assistant Referee 2: Garry Maskell
Fourth Official: Paul Yates
- View from the Camp...
Mark Sampson believes a win on Saturday will be the perfect remedy to a tought resutl to take on Tuesday.
"We have got a huge opportunity ahead of us. We have got an opportunity to get a home win under our belt, and get ourselves moving in the right direction again.
"Our focus since early Wednesday morning has been how we respond and how we react, using that frustration and anger. We will take that into our performance on Saturday, and have that control, tactical discipline and that huge emotional intensity to bring a big performance Saturday."
"The players are certainly looking forward to it. After you suffer a defeat like we did on Tuesday night, what you want is a game quickly and we have got that Saturday. We have got an opportunity."
- Form Guide…
Both of Saturday’s teams have won just once in the last five games, with Stevenage edging the form table by picking up two draws in that run opposed to Morecambe’s one.
With it being a tight affair at the bottom of the league, Stevenage have the advantage of a superior goal difference, having only lost by more than one goal three times this season. Morecambe’s defeats have been heavier on average, having lost by two goals four times, and a 3-0 thumping on one occasion.
- Head to Head…
Stevenage boast a positive win record versus Morecambe in all competitions, having played them 40 times since our first meeting them in 1996.
Results have been kind to Stevenage against tomorrow’s opponents in the last two seasons, recording three wins and a draw in the last four meetings.
A last-minute Luke Wilkinson winner at The Globe Arena secured three points and a 2-1 victory in January last season, after a Michael Timlin wonder goal earnt Stevenage a 1-0 win at The Lamex in August of last year.
Morecambe’s last win against Boro came in April 2017, after Lee Molyneux’s goal eased Jim Bentley’s relegation worries, and hindered Darren Sarll’s play-off hopes.
- Betting…
Stevenage are 19/20 favourites with league sponsors Sky Bet, whilst Stevenage to win and BTTS has been PRICE BOOSTED from 3/1 to 7/2. If you fancy a flutter this weekend, use our designated link which enables the club to receive a slice of your stake!
Also, don't forget that supporters can now check-in on matchdays, unlock achievements and earn special rewards courtesy of Sky Bet, title sponsors of the EFL. Download the new Sky Bet EFL Rewards app by clicking here.
- Online coverage…
Live match commentary will be available for UK iFollow subscribers so make sure you sign up to listen to every game. If you are based outside of the UK & Ireland, you can stream the game LIVE!
Make sure you are following our Twitter account throughout the day as we bring you the very latest from The Lamex Stadium.
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