Newport County vs. Morecambe: League Two Clash Preview, Predictions, and Key Insights

Coming into the middle of the 2024-2025 League Two season, this big relegation battle between both clubs sees Newport County welcome Morecambe to Rodney Parade on February 4, 2025. This shapes out to be a very exciting and intense game with both teams trying to claw their way out from respective long droughts without wins. Both are having torrid starts to the year and will be relishing the prospect of taking momentum from recent performances, so this is an absolute must-win game for both sides.

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Recent Form: The Rejuvenation of Newport County and the Resilience of Morecambe

Newport County goes into this game with fresh confidence after managing a hard-fought 1-0 win against Barrow in their last encounter. It had been the important win for head coach Nelson Jardim's men that eventually ended the six-game winless streak that earlier in a period of bad form tended to drag further into the troubles of relegation. It had come via poor Kyle Cameron with an own goal, yet did please Exiles boss Jardim because on a more important scale his side continued to dig and "win ugly.".

This win moves Newport County into 19th place in the League Two table, a total of seven points from the relegation zone. Of course, they are not out of the woods yet, but that good result against Morecambe will push them upwards. All season long, the Exiles have struggled with questions of consistency and vulnerabilities at the back-a far cry from what they used to be last season. However, coming into this game, they have a slight edge considering their recent home form where they have garnered 20 of their 30 points.

On the other hand, Morecambe comes into this game in a very precarious position. They are 23rd, just a paltry three points clear from the relegation zone. Still, the Shrimps in recent matches look like showing pulses, particularly following that dramatic result, defeating 4-2 of Fleetwood Town. That was an important victory for Morecambe, which had entered into the New Year in appalling fashion with four losses on the trot, including the 5-0 mauling in Chelsea's hands in the FA Cup. A double from Andy Dallas added to strikes from Callum Cooke and Marcus Dackers as all three points-and a priceless confidence booster for the visit to Rodney Parade next week-became theirs.

Away from home, however, Morecambe have enjoyed a different tale altogether, amassing 14 of their 23 points on their travels. Given how poor they have been at the Globe Arena, some precious points away have been vital to them, and that should at least give them some encouragement as they go into this one. However, to climb the table and move well away from this relegation fight, they simply have to be more clinical while being tighter in the back.

Head-to-Head: Recent Meetings and Historical Context

The last time these two teams met was on 31st August 2024, when Newport County edged out Morecambe 1-0. A single goal from Aaron Wildig was enough for the visitors to take a narrow win at the Globe Arena as the Exiles extended their growing trend now to three straight wins against their counterparts. The two teams do meet regularly through various competitions over the years, and to be sure the Exiles dominate their meetings lately, taking four of the last five, although they now do seek a fifth from six when welcoming their foes to home turf.

For the most part, this head-to-head between Newport County and Morecambe has been closely contested, considering the latter has come tops in nine clashes while the visitors have won eight out of their 21 confrontations. Four of those meetings have ended all square-a fact that explains how this game has been one of the highly contested ones. Anyway, Newport do have a good opportunity to finally seal their latest good run of form as they seek a fourth straight win over Shrimps for the first time in history.

Team News: Injury and Suspension
Injuries to worry about for Newport County ahead of this match, most notably after their win over Barrow. Kai Whitmore was pulled out as an injury precaution during the game against Wigan and will be subjected to a check-up ahead of this tie. Kieron Evans came on for Whitmore but went off injured in that game and is doubted for this tie. The reason being, new recruit Tom Davies hauled a hamstring and was subsequently ruled out for the rest of the season. That leaves Jardim with one or two selection dilemmas in midfield and at the back but he can turn to either Cameron Antwi or Noah Mawene for a patch-up job.

However, Morecambe has no fresh injury worries coming into this tie after seeing off Fleetwood. Without the on-loan Liverpool defender Rhys Williams, who has sat out the last two League Two games through injury and is not likely to declare fit in time for this tie, Max Taylor and Jamie Stott may retain their central defensive positions, with Harry Burgoyne sure in goal. Up top, Marcus Dackers - who scored his first League Two goal in the win over Fleetwood - will most likely again lead the line.

Tactics and Key Players to Watch

Much of Newport County's success will come down to how they balance their defensive frailties with their attacking intent. This is not a season the Exiles haven't exactly been keeping too many clean sheets this term, still more potent in front of the goal as they score in seven of their last eight matches. The creative influences of James Clarke and Aaron Wildig will be important in attempts to unlock Morecambe's defenses, while the pace and directness of the front two, Offrande Zanzala and Courtney Baker-Richardson, always gives defenses a problem and that includes Shrimps' backline.

Morecambe might, therefore, stand a good chance to make something out of this game by capitalizing on the loopholes in Newport's defense. The attacking quality the Shrimps possess, Andy Dallas, Callum Cooke, and Marcus Dackers have something to give to Exiles an headache at least. Particularly, it is Marcus Dackers, because after his double against Fleetwood; his height means that he'll be able to hold his head high for an aerial presence presenting him with goals.

Derek Adams will most probably set his side up in a 4-3-3 formation, looking to dominate midfield and create width through the likes of Stephen Hendrie and Jacob Bedeau. They need to get the ball to Dallas and Dackers quick and in danger areas if they are to exploit any gaps left by Newport's defense.

Predictions and Conclusion

This will be one tight match because each of them badly needs these points in fighting relegation. Newport County has the home support going into the tie while Morecambe has been good on the road. In as much as the two sides have shown bits of form over recent weeks, considering the fact that they have all been scoring and letting in goals, this might as well turn out to be a high-scoring game.

Given the form of Newport at home in recent times, too, coupled with the inconsistent away record of Morecambe, it's hard to look past the Exiles not taking an important win. However, recent improvement by Morecambe can't be written off completely and they will most certainly not go down without a fight. Whichever team can show poise in possession-to take advantage of some mistake or poor defending-will likely take the result in this match.

Ultimately, this is a game that fans and neutrals alike will want to try to make time for, with dramatic moments galore, plenty of action, and oodles of intensity. This will be a hard-fought fight that might just go to the wire; a win for Newport, the upset by Morecambe, or an edgy draw are in the offing. For sure, both teams will give it their all until the very final whistle.