- Team form: AFC Rushden And Diamonds are in the middle of a 3-game winning streak heading into this game.
- Home form: Rushden have won 5 and lost 5 of their last 10 games across all competitions, but have won 3 of their 4 home games so far.
- Away form: Morecambe have won 5 of their 10 matches this season, but have only won 1 of their 5 away games, drawing 1 and losing 3.
Diamonds can make their mark in cup clash
Tactical contrast:
Style should clash on Saturday as AFC Rushden And Diamonds' direct, front-foot soccer takes on Morecambe's more possession-based, combination-based approach.
Recent form:
The Diamonds have won back-to-back games in the FA Cup Qualification, following up their 2-1 success at Braintree Town FC with a 3-1 win over Peterborough Sports, and will fancy their chances against a side on Saturday. Morecambe come into this matchup after a draw, a win and a loss in their last three matches, with an away draw at Oxford City, a 3-0 win over Darlington in the cup, and a 2-1 defeat away at Worksop Town. The Shrimps have won 5, drawn 1 and lost 4 in their last 10 matches, so have a fair record, but will need to be at their best to avoid a cup upset this weekend.
Home advantage will decide things
Match tactics:
Morecambe will try to keep the ball and hush the crowd, while Rushden will turn it into a physical aerial battle. The Diamonds' game is built around fast transitions, quality service from wide areas and pressure from set pieces, and that should lead to a proper cup fixture.
Team setup and threats:
Adam Lakeland has the flexibility to set up in either a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 shape, and they aim to keep the Shrimps structured and hard to rattle.
- Backing the home side for the win seems like the best play here, with odds of 3.95 offering a decent return for the bettors.
- The hosts have won their last 2 home games, while Morecambe have conceded 7 goals in 5 away games, averaging 1.40 per away match.
- Elliot Newby offers Morecambe's sharpest edge in the final third, and has scored 2 of their 5 goals in the last 5 matches, so he looks the best anytime goalscorer bet.
