Sports Mole previews Friday’s League Two clash between Cheltenham Town and Tranmere Rovers, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Two teams separated by a couple of places will face off in Friday’s League Two clash between Cheltenham Town and Tranmere Rovers.
The Robins are currently sitting in 17th place in the League Two table, while the visitors are one point adrift in 19th position.
Match preview
Cheltenham recently enjoyed a seven-game unbeaten run in all competitions (W5, D2), with four of those matches taking place in League Two.
The Robins claimed away victories either side of a draw against Bradford City, before they had to settle for another point from their recent home clash with Bromley.
Unfortunately for Cheltenham, their unbeaten run was ended by a narrow defeat against MK Dons, giving up a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 in Saturday’s game at Stadium MK.
After experiencing disappointment on their travels, Michael Flynn‘s side will now return to Whaddon Road, where they have won just one of their last five home matches in the fourth tier (D2, L2).
The hosts will enter Friday’s contest with the chance to claim a third consecutive head-to-head victory after beating Tranmere 3-0 in an away fixture in September 2020 and 4-0 in a home encounter in April 2021.
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Tranmere are sitting five points above the drop zone after winning four, drawing five and losing five of their 14 matches this season.
The Rovers will currently be in a positive mood after they bounced back from three straight defeats in all competitions to claim back-to-back victories over Newport County and Stockport County in the league and EFL Trophy respectively.
Connor Jennings and Kieron Morris scored a goal apiece to fire Tranmere to a 2-1 victory over Newport, with the result ending a four-game winless home run in the league.
They went on to secure their place in the EFL Trophy knockout rounds, with a 2-0 away win over Stockport courtesy of goals from Kristian Dennis and Josh Hawkes.
After defeating the Hatters on November 12, Stockport have had plenty of time to prepare for Friday’s league fixture, with the visitors looking to improve their recent away league form after winning one, drawing one and losing three of their last five away matches in the fourth tier.
Cheltenham Town League Two form:
Cheltenham Town form (all competitions):
Tranmere Rovers League Two form:
Tranmere Rovers form (all competitions):
Team News
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Cheltenham are expected to be without the services of Bradford City loanee Sam Stubbs, who missed the defeat to MK Dons through injury.
Midfielder Arkell Jude-Boyd is set to return to the matchday squad after returning from international duty with Saint Lucia.
George Miller will continue to lead the lines for the Robins, with the striker looking to add to the three goals he has scored this season.
As for the visitors, Declan Drysdale is likely to feature among the substitutes after he returned from injury to play 45 minutes against Stockport.
Brad Walker is set to return to the matchday squad, having completed a three-match suspension for violent conduct.
Jennings will look to continue his impressive run of form after scoring three goals in Tranmere’s last four matches in all competitions.
Cheltenham Town possible starting lineup:
Day; Payne, Bakare, Bennett, Bradbury; Kinsella, Young; Thomas, Colwill, Archer; Miller
Tranmere Rovers possible starting lineup:
McGee; Norman, Davies, Turnbull, Wood; Morris, Finley, Hendry, Patrick; Jennings, Norris
We say: Cheltenham Town 1-1 Tranmere Rovers
With just one point separating the two sides, we expect Friday’s contest to be a close-fought affair, and with that in mind, we think Cheltenham may have to settle for a draw for a third consecutive home match.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
