Morecambe meet Newport County at Wembley Stadium in 2020-21 Sky Bet League Two Play-Off Final to determine the final spot in League One next season.
Derek Adams’ Shrimps are looking to clinch promotion into the third tier of English Football for the very first time, where they will join Cheltenham, Cambridge and Bolton who have already secured promotion.
Newport meanwhile are looking to return to the third tier of English football for the first time since 1986-87 season.
Team News
Liam McAlinden is set to be available for Morecambe after shaking off a calf injury which has niggled him in recent weeks.
Brad Lyons (nose) is also expected to be in contention but John O’Sullivan (hamstring), Jordan Slew (leg) and Stephen Hendrie (ankle) are ruled out.
Newport have no fresh injury concerns to report as Michael Flynn considers ringing the changes, after his second leg substitutes scored in a dramatic comeback at Forest Green Rovers to stake their claim for a starting place at Wembley.
Stat Attack
- This is the first-ever Play-Off meeting between Morecambe and Newport, with all 16 previous meetings coming in League Two during regular season.
- Morecambe have won just one of their last seven meetings against Newport (W1, D3, L3).
- Newport have scored in each of their last 12 meetings against Morecambe (W5, D4, L3), with all four draws finishing 1-1 and three losses coming by 2-1 results.
- Morecambe have scored first in their last four matches (W3, D1).
- Newport’s last seven goals have come from six different goalscorers with Joss Labadie the only player to net twice.
- This is Morecambe’s first appearance in an EFL Play-Off Final, although they won just one of three Non League Play-Offs appearances.
- Newport also make their first appearance in an EFL Play-Off Final, having previously won 2012-13 Conference League Play-Off Final after beating Wrexham in all Welsh Play-Off Final that season.
Prediction
Having evolved from from a settled low mid-table team into a hungry direct attacking side under Derek Adams this season, Morecambe definitely will be seen as favourites if can get on the front foot quickly and score first but they have been quite inconsistent in recent months on occasions.
Newport meanwhile are a difficult team to beat on their day as many higher league clubs have found out in recent seasons especially at Rodney Parade, yet this is Wembley where the surface will be a different beast and they must improve defensively after a woeful second leg display in which they scraped through.
I therefore do hope that we see a competitive game between two improved teams but Newport have threats across the pitch on top of an excellent record against Morecambe, so if Flynn can nail his defensive selection and tactics then I fancy Newport to go on and win this.
Prediction: Morecambe 1-2 Newport County
Result: Morecambe 1-0 Newport County (AET)