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

The hosts, meanwhile, will also be hoping to return to winning ways after losing their last three matches across all competitions.

Match preview

Tranmere have experienced a difficult start to the campaign, picking up just three points from their opening five league matches.

They lost their opening two league games either side of a penalty shootout win over Barnsley in the League Cup, before finally getting on the board with a comfortable 3-0 win over Harrogate Town.

However, since that result, Tranmere have suffered three consecutive defeats in all competitions, conceding eight goals in that period.

Their most recent loss took place on Tuesday when they were beaten 2-0 by Leicester City in the second round of the League Cup following goals from Wilfried Ndidi and Jamie Vardy.

They will now turn their attention back to league matters, as they prepare to face Wrexham for the first time since playing out a 2-2 draw in the National League in January 2018.

Wrexham, meanwhile, have found wins too hard to come by since returning to the Football League, with their opening five league games producing one victory.

While Phil Parkinson will be frustrated by the lack of victories, he will be pleased with the fact that his side has not lost a league game since suffering a 5-3 defeat to MK Dons on the opening weekend of the season, having collected six points from their last four matches in the fourth tier.

Like their hosts, Wrexham were also in EFL Cup action on Tuesday, playing out a 1-1 draw with fellow League Two side Bradford City, ensuring the tie was decided by a penalty shootout.

In contrast to the previous round, where they prevailed on penalties against Wigan Athletic, the Red Dragons were beaten 4-3 in the shootout, resulting in a second-round exit.

Wrexham will now head on their travels for Saturday's encounter, where they will be looking to claim their first away victory of the season.

Tranmere Rovers League Two form:

L

L

L

W

L

L

Tranmere Rovers form (all competitions):

W

L

W

L

L

L

Wrexham League Two form:

L

D

W

D

D

Wrexham form (all competitions):

W

D

W

D

D

L

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Team News

Tranmere boss Ian Dawes has revealed that Hull City loanee Jake Leake will be absent for the next two weeks with a hamstring injury.

Lee O'Connor is sidelined with an ankle problem, while Luke Norris is also set to miss Saturday's contest through injury.

After making his debut in Tuesday's cup defeat, Dan Pike is expected to retain his place in the Tranmere backline.

As for the visitors, defender Jordan Tunnicliffe and midfielder Jordan Davies are still recovering from their respective injury issues.

Paul Mullin is sidelined after suffering a collapsed lung and four cracked ribs during a pre-season game against Manchester United.

Jake Bickerstaff will look to add to his two-goal tally for the season when he lines up in the forward line alongside Ollie Palmer.

Tranmere Rovers possible starting lineup:

Murphy; Yarney, Davies, Turnbull, Pike; Morris, Merrie, Hendry; Taylor, Hawkes, Jennings

Wrexham possible starting lineup:

Howard; Forde, O'Connell, Tozer, Boyle, Mendy; Jones, Young, Lee; Bickerstaff, Palmer

We say: Tranmere Rovers 1-2 Wrexham

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