Preview: Tranmere Rovers vs. Carlisle United - prediction, team news, lineups

The home side have drawn their last two league games, while the away side are on a two-game losing streak.

Match preview

Tranmere are on a seven-game undefeated streak in League Two, recovering well after a poor start to the season, but they would have wanted to take more from their game at home to 22nd-placed Rochdale on Tuesday night, drawing 1-1.

On the balance of play, the Super White Army were the superior side, having 16 attempts on goal compared to Rochdale's six, but they failed to make their chances pay and had to settle for a point after Kane Hemmings cancelled out Ian Henderson's opener.

Scoring goals has been a problem more than the defensive efforts of Micky Mellon's side, with the tally of 11 conceded being the second-fewest in the league, behind league-leaders Leyton Orient.

The team's response to going behind in a game has also been an issue, only managing to pick up two points from losing positions all season, having trailed in seven games.

Despite not winning in their last two, Tranmere are still in a healthy position in the league standings, currently in ninth, two points off the playoff places.

Carlisle are also vying for the promotion spots, on the same number of points as their opponents, but one place lower in the table on goal difference.

Things had been looking even better for the Cumbrian side, who were just three points off the automatic promotion places after a 3-0 win over Doncaster earlier this month, but they have since lost in tough fixtures against Leyton Orient and Stockport County.

The latter came on Tuesday night, losing 2-0 at Edgeley Park courtesy of goals from Myles Hippolyte and Kyle Wootton, in a game where Paul Simpson's side only managed one shot on target.

The games do not get any easier for United though, especially considering that they have not beaten Tranmere in a competitive game in their last six attempts.

Tranmere Rovers League Two form:

W

W

W

W

D

D

Tranmere Rovers form (all competitions):

L

W

W

W

D

D

Carlisle United League Two form:

W

D

W

W

L

L

Carlisle United form (all competitions):

D

W

W

L

L

L

Team News

Tranmere did not make any substitutions in Tuesday's draw against Rochdale, so Mellon may look to make a couple of changes to freshen up his side, with Reece McAlear a potential option in the middle of the park instead of Chris Merrie.

Kane Hemmings and Elliott Nevitt have started the last two games as a front two in a 4-4-2 system, and with 20-year-old Jake Burton being the only other option in attack, they are likely to keep their places.

Josh Dacres-Cogley and Ethan Bristow have started every game at full-back this season, forming part of the formidable defence with Dynel Simeu and Jordan Turnbull in the centre.

For Carlisle, Jack Stretton was brought on at half time in the midweek defeat against Stockport, replacing Jayden Harris who appeared to have a knock.

The 21-year-old is likely to keep his place and accompany Kristian Dennis in attack, who is the top goalscorer at the club this season, with seven goals in 14 league outings.

Owen Moxon has impressed for the Blues in a creative role from midfield this season, pitching in with two goals and five assists from the centre of the pitch, where he is likely to play next to Jordan Gibson and Callum Guy.

Tranmere Rovers possible starting lineup:

Doohan; Dacres-Cogley, Turnbull, Simeu, Bristow; Morris, O'Connor, McAlear, Hawkes; Nevitt, Hemmings

Carlisle United possible starting lineup:

Holy; Back, Whelan, Feeney, Mellish, Armer; Moxon, Guy, Gibson; Stretton, Dennis

We say: Tranmere Rovers 1-1 Carlisle United

With the two sides deadlocked in the table, it would make sense for Saturday's game to finish as a draw. Tranmere were frustrated by a team who came to Prenton Park with a defensive plan on Tuesday night, so Carlisle may choose to play for a point on the road.

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