Preview: Fleetwood Town vs. Colchester United - prediction, team news, lineups

Fleetwood Town host Colchester United this weekend at Highbury Stadium, hoping to secure consecutive home victories for the first time this season in League Two.

The two sides have matched each other for form recently, with both teams picking up just six points from their last six games, although both did claim much-needed wins in their most recent fixtures to end long winless runs in the league.

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Match preview

Following relegation from League One last season, the Cod Army have struggled at home, winning just twice so far this season - but Charlie Adam's side will hope they have turned a corner following their recent victory against Bradford City.

Their triumph against the Bantams ended a run of five games without a win in League Two for the hosts, who had hit a rough patch in their season.

Just as things seemed to be improving, Fleetwood suffered an away defeat to Bolton Wanderers in the EFL Trophy three days later, and since then, a combination of international call-ups and the impact of Storm Bert have kept Adam's side out of action since November 12.

The break in play may be seen as an opportunity for the hosts to regroup and get their season back on track, as despite their recent woes, they sit 13th in the table, just five points off the playoffs.

Following the recent postponements, Fleetwood have two games in hand over AFC Wimbledon, who currently occupy the final playoff position in League Two - and if Adam's men can string together a few wins on the bounce, they will be back in the mix for an instant return to League One.

Meanwhile, the visitors won away from home for the first time this season last time out, as substitute John-Kymani Gordon scored the only goal of the game against Grimsby Town to end an eight-game winless streak in League Two.

Colchester are accustomed to struggling, having only narrowly avoided relegation to the National League last season, with a 1-1 draw at Crewe Alexandra on the final day of the campaign enough to secure their Football League status for another year.

Their fortunes turned around last year following the appointment of Danny Cowley as manager in January, but despite hopes that they could push further up the table this time round, the U's find themselves just four points clear of danger in 20th.

However, a win this weekend would take the visitors to within one point of their hosts, and with Fleetwood's disappointing home record, Colchester will be looking to exploit any frailty from the Cod Army.

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Team News

Fleetwood have suffered multiple injuries in defence lately, something which may have contributed to their dip in form.

Harrison Holgate is out for the rest of the season after suffering an ACL injury in a cup game against Stoke City earlier in the campaign.

Fellow defender Zech Medley has been out since August with an Achilles injury, and the former Arsenal youngster remains a long-term absentee.

Elsewhere, Mackenzie Hunt, Rhys Bennett and captain Brendan Wiredu have also missed recent fixtures due to injuries, so they are doubts ahead of this fixture.

In better news, James Bolton recently returned in the win against Bradford and is expected to start this encounter for the hosts.

Meanwhile, Colchester's Milton Oni will be out for several months due to a serious knee injury suffered against Brentford in a League Cup tie back in August.

Last time out, Teddy Bishop was fit enough to be named on the bench after a seven-week absence with an ankle injury, while right-back Rob Hunt is back in contention to start after missing the win at Grimsby with a calf issue.

Elsewhere, Colchester's leading scorer Lyle Taylor is expected to be fit, despite limping off in last week's win at Blundell Park.

Fleetwood Town possible starting lineup: Harrington; Shaw, Bolton, Potter; Virtue, Johnston, Hunt, Helm, Mayor; Coughlan, Graydon

Colchester United possible starting lineup: Macey; Hunt, Goodliffe, Donnelly, Iandolo; McDonnell, Read, Payne, Anderson; Tovide, Taylor

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We say: Fleetwood Town 1-0 Colchester United

Fleetwood will be keen to make the most of their games in hand on the teams above them, and having secured a rare home win last time out in the league, they will look to build on that.

Despite Colchester recently claiming their first win on the road this season, we think the hosts will have just about enough in them to take the three points.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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