Preview: Tranmere Rovers vs. Crawley Town - prediction, team news, lineups

The Super White Army were able to collect three points in a 1-0 victory away at Stevenage in their last fixture, while the relegation contenders' poor run of form continued on Saturday when they suffered a 5-2 defeat against Carlisle United.

Match preview

Tranmere have never finished below the top 10 in the League Two table since their relegation from League One in the 2019-20 season, but are currently 13th in the league and are on course for their worst season yet.

A lack of goalscoring prowess has hurt the side's ambitions of landing a playoff position this season, with the home team having the sixth-worst record in front of goal in the competition, only scoring 33 times this season.

In their last outing, Tranmere took advantage of a Stevenage side who are currently undergoing a dip in form, as a penalty from Josh Hawkes was enough to see them to victory.

They will come into this matchup against Crawley with high levels of confidence, as they have acquired all three points in their previous three encounters with the away team.

Ranking third in the competition for big chances created (10), Josh Cogley will be vital for Tranmere in this affair due to his ability to invent chances in a side that lack creativity in forward areas.

Meanwhile, the Reds are currently in a bad spell of form in the league, as they have only been able to pick up one win in their last 10 games.

Scott Lindsey's side will be desperate to put an end to the run of form they have found themselves in, as his side are currently second from the bottom position and are in genuine threat of relegation if their recent form continues.

In their last bout, Crawley were taken apart by Carlisle United in the first half, as goals by Joel Senior, Omari Patrick, Owen Moxon and Morgan Feeney left them 4-0 down within 38 minutes. Aramide Oteh and Dominic Telford managed to get on the scoresheet in the second half, but Jon Mellish put all doubt beyond recognition with the away side's fifth of the match, ensuring three points for Carlisle.

Without a clean sheet in their last 10 games, it will be important that the away side keep a more compact shape in this affair and look to take confidence from the two they put past Carlisle on Saturday.

With Hartlepool United not playing on Tuesday, a win here would lift Crawley a point clear out of the relegation zone with three games in hand on their competitors.

Tranmere Rovers League Two form:

L

L

W

L

L

W

Crawley Town League Two form:

W

L

D

L

L

L

Team News

Micky Mellon is not likely to make any changes to the side that beat Stevenage 1-0 on the weekend.

Jordan Turnbull and Paul Lewis are expected to retain their place in the side as a result of the victory in their last outing.

The visitors also are not anticipated to make any changes to their side despite the 5-2 loss against Carlisle.

Although due to the nature of their previous performance, it is difficult to predict any changes Scott Lindsey may decide to make.

Tranmere Rovers possible starting lineup:

Murphy; Cogley, Davies, Turnbull, Bristow; Turner-Cooke, O'Connor, Hendry, Hawkes; Saunders, Lewis

Crawley Town possible starting lineup:

Schofield; Francillette, Conroy, Lynch; Gordon, Tsaroulla, Roles, Powell, Fellows; Telford, Nadesan

We say: Tranmere Rovers 1-1 Crawley Town

We believe that this match will end level, as neither side possess forward lines that can create and finish goalscoring chances.

Neither is likely to outright dominate the fixture due to their track records this season, and a score draw could therefore be on the cards between these two.

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