Preview: Tranmere Rovers vs. AFC Wimbledon - prediction, team news, lineups

It will be a difficult test, however, as the visitors have lost just one of their last eight games in all competitions.

Match preview

Tranmere have gone through phases in regard to their league form this season, with a five-game winning run in which they did not concede a single goal sending them to sixth in the league standings in the middle of October.

Since then, however, the form of Micky Mellon's side has regressed, and they are now without a win in six games in all competitions, although four of these have ended as a draw.

These results leave the Super White Army 11th in the league standings, still only four points off the top seven, but in need of a win on Saturday to keep the pace with the other playoff chasing sides.

Scoring goals has started to become an issue for Tranmere, failing to score more than one goal in a match since a 3-0 victory against Crewe Alexandra over a month ago.

Last time out, the Rovers travelled to Swindon Town and collected what is likely to be seen as a decent point on the road, drawing 1-1 after Josh Hawkes's opener was cancelled out by a Jacob Wakeling effort on the half-an-hour mark.

While Wimbledon will commence proceedings three points below their opponents in the table, they have been in far better form as of late, safely through to the next round of the FA Cup courtesy of a 3-1 win against Weymouth last time out.

A victory against the National League side may have been expected, but Johnnie Jackson's side have also been impressive in the league, defeating first-placed Leyton Orient in their last fixture at Plough Lane.

This was then followed up with a 0-0 draw away at Salford City, and although the Dons could not secure three points, Jackson will be pleased by an improved defensive display, registering clean sheets in their last two games after not recording any since a 2-0 win at Crawley Town in August.

That victory is one of just two away wins all season, however, with the other coming against a struggling Rochdale side at the end of October, so Wimbledon will need to be at their best to secure a similar result against a side above them in the table.

Tranmere Rovers League Two form:

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D

D

L

D

D

Tranmere Rovers form (all competitions):

D

D

L

D

L

D

AFC Wimbledon League Two form:

L

W

D

W

W

D

AFC Wimbledon form (all competitions):

W

L

D

W

D

W

Team News

Tranmere will be without centre-back Jordan Turnbull after he saw red in the closing stages against Swindon last time out, so Kyle Jameson should come into the backline.

With Mellon switching to a 5-3-2 system for a brief period at the end of October, Hawkes was sacrificed, but after scoring on Saturday, the side's joint-highest league scorer should feature once again on the left of midfield.

The winger is likely to be playing in a supporting role for strikers Kane Hemmings and Elliott Nevitt, who have both struggled to find the back of the net recently, but Mellon has so far kept his faith in the duo.

Jackson may choose to make a few changes to the Wimbledon team that faced Weymouth, and preferred right-back option Chris Gunter is set to come back into the team, replacing Isaac Ogundere.

Centre-back Alex Pearce made his return to first-team action last time out after recovering from injury, and the manager faces a dilemma about whether to start him or Paul Kalambayi at the heart of the defence.

One man who should keep his place is Ayoub Assal, with the winger scoring a remarkable six goals in his last seven outings.

Tranmere Rovers possible starting lineup:

Doohan; Cogley, Simeu, Jameson, Bristow; Morris, O'Connor, Merrie, Hawkes; Hemmings, Nevitt

AFC Wimbledon possible starting lineup:

Tzanev; Gunter, Kalambayi, Towler, Currie; Maghoma, Woodyard, Chislett, Pell, Assal; Davison

We say: Tranmere Rovers 1-1 AFC Wimbledon

Tranmere have made a habit out of drawing games that they need to win in recent matches, and they have also struggled for goals. With Wimbledon only winning twice on their travels this season, it is likely that the spoils are shared in a low-scoring contest.

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