Preview: Tranmere Rovers vs. Stockport County - prediction, team news, lineups

The two teams have made underwhelming starts to the new campaign and they are both positioned in the bottom half of the table with seven points from as many matches.

Match preview

Tranmere were unable to build on their 2-0 home victory against Colchester United, as they were beaten by the same scoreline away against league leaders Leyton Orient on last weekend.

A first half own goal from Josh Dacres-Cogley and a second-half strike from Paul Smyth was enough to condemn the visitors to their fourth league defeat of the season and ensure the hosts remain unbeaten at the summit.

Micky Mellon's men were tipped for a promotion push this season, but a lack of consistency has seen them slip down to 16th in the table, 12 points behind Orient at the top and seven points adrift of the playoffs.

Tranmere, who have failed to win any of their opening four League Two away games, will welcome a return to Prenton Park where they have lost only two of their last 18 league matches, an impressive run dating back to November last year.

The Super White Army have won six of their last seven home encounters with Stockport, although their last meeting was back in October 2010, when they secured a 4-3 win on penalties in the last 16 of the EFL Trophy.

Like Tranmere, there were high expectations for Stockport heading into the 2022-23 campaign after winning the National League title last season, but they are yet to display their promotion credentials after winning only two of their opening seven games.

Dave Challinor's side appear to have shown signs of a revival, however, as a 1-1 draw with 10 men against Swindon Town was followed by a narrow 1-0 victory at home to AFC Wimbledon last weekend.

Centre-back Fraser Horsfall - who scored nine times for Northampton Town last season - netted his first goal in a County shirt in the 11th minute, which proved to be the winning strike for the hosts.

Stockport will fancy their chances of building on last weekend's win as they now prepare for three League Two fixtures against teams who are also in the bottom half of the table.

County have lost all three of their away games since returning to the fourth tier for the first time in 12 years, but a victory against Tranmere on Friday would see them sneak into the top half of the table.

Tranmere Rovers League Two form:

Tranmere Rovers form (all competitions):

Stockport County League Two form:

Stockport County form (all competitions):

Team News

Tranmere will be without Kyle Jameson, Luke Robinson, Tom Davies, Joel Mumbongo, Charlie Jolley and Kieron Morris due to injury, although the latter is closing in on a return to training.

After using a back five at the beginning of the season, Mellon has since switched to a four-man defence in the last two weeks and he may decide to stick with it again on Friday, with Josh Dacres-Cogley, Neill Byrne, Jordan Turnbull and Ethan Bristow set to retain their places.

Paul Lewis could return to midfield ahead of either Josh Hawkes or Jon Nolan, while Kane Hemmings and Elliott Nevitt are expected to lead the line in attack.

As for Stockport, captain and striker Paddy Madden will serve the second of his three-game ban following his red card against Swindon, with Kyle Wootton and Ollie Crankshaw set to continue up front as a result.

Macauley Southam-Hales and Chris Hussey are expected to start again as wing-backs either side of centre-back trio Joe Lewis, Fraser Horsfall and Ryan Johnson.

Antoni Sarcevic, who scored in Stockport's last away match against Mansfield, is set to operate in the number 10 role, with Callum Camps and Will Collar dictating play from centre-midfield.

Tranmere Rovers possible starting lineup:

Doohan; Dacres-Cogley, Byrne, Turnbull, Bristow; McAlear, O'Connor, Lewis; Nolan; Hemmings, Nevitt

Stockport County possible starting lineup:

Jaros; Lewis, Horsfall, Johnson; Southam-Hales, Camps, Collar, Hussey; Sarcevic; Crankshaw, Wootton

We say: Tranmere Rovers 1-1 Stockport County

Both teams will be keen to put aside their inconsistent starts to the new season and put together a positive run of form as they aim to climb the table towards the playoff positions.

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