Tranmerevs.Salford City

The Superwhites suffered a heavy defeat at the home of Colchester United last weekend, whilst the Ammies were the latest victims of an in-form Walsall side.

Match preview

Finishing 16th in League Two last season, Tranmere Rovers were marooned in mid-table by the end of the campaign, with the mission this time around to potentially challenge for a spot in the top seven, although Friday's hosts have endured a mixed start to their 2024-25 schedule.

Since returning from the first international break of the season in early September, the Superwhites have lost back-to-back away contests at promotion contenders Gillingham and Colchester by an aggregate scoreline of 6-0, highlighting Rovers' serious frailties away from Prenton Park.

As was the case a week earlier at Priestfield Stadium, Tranmere dominated proceedings in terms of possession at Colchester but failed to pose a significant threat on the hosts' net, with a Lyle Taylor brace and a second-half strike from Samson Tovide securing the points for the U's.

After failing to collect any points since the turn of the month, the Superwhites have dropped down to 16th place in the fourth-tier standings, five points behind seventh-placed Crewe Alexandra and five ahead of Accrington Stanley in the highest of the relegation spots.

Finding the net on just three occasions from six matches so far this season, Tranmere currently possess the least potent attack in the division, with all of those strikes being converted by Omari Patrick, who is stepping up to the plate for the Rovers after scoring only five across the entire campaign for Sutton United in 2023-24.

Salford City were unable to make it successive wins at the Peninsula Stadium on Saturday afternoon, when third-placed Walsall arrived in the North-West and collected maximum points courtesy of second-half goals from striker Nathan Lowe and midfielder Charlie Lakin.

Focusing on away form ahead of a trip to Prenton Park on Friday night, the Ammies are unbeaten in two outings at the start of the 2024-25 League Two calendar, playing out a goalless draw at Bradford City on August 17 before earning a point from a 1-1 scoreline with Chesterfield on August 24.

Making the net ripple on just four occasions so far this campaign, Salford have the second-poorest attack in the division behind Friday's hosts Tranmere, with former Doncaster Rovers forward Hakeeb Adelakun leading the club's early Golden Boot race with a mere two strikes.

Last term's meetings between Tranmere and Salford were particularly memorable, with the fixture at Prenton Park throwing up a seven-goal thriller in August 2023, with the visiting Ammies securing a dramatic 4-3 win largely thanks to a sensational Callum Hendry hat-trick.

Ahead of kicking off the League Two action on Friday, Salford sit above Tranmere on goal difference, with a victory at Prenton Park enough to propel the Ammies to as high as eighth if they can manage a five-goal swing.

Tranmere Rovers League Two form:

D

D

W

W

L

L

Tranmere Rovers form (all competitions):

L

W

L

W

L

L

Salford City League Two form:

L

D

D

W

W

L

Salford City form (all competitions):

L

D

W

L

W

L

Team News

After drawing a blank against Colchester last time out, Tranmere could opt for some attacking changes, meaning that Luke Norris and Harvey Saunders could be demoted to the bench.

If that is the case, the likes of Kristian Dennis and 23-year-old Sol Solomon will be targeting rare league starts for Friday night's hosts.

Replaced during the half-time interval on the weekend, right-back Cameron Norman is likely to drop out to make room for Irishman Lee O'Connor.

A number of Salford attackers will be eyeing up places in the XI following defeat against Walsall, with Francis Okoronkwo and Conor McAleny pushing for starts.

Once of Everton's academy, Luke Garbutt is expected to continue on the left side of a back four for the Ammies at Prenton Park on Friday.

Tranmere Rovers possible starting lineup:

McGee; O'Connor, Bradshaw, Turnbull, Wood; Jennings, Khan, Hendry, Patrick; Dennis, Norris

Salford City possible starting lineup:

Jones; Mnoga, Negru, Tilt, Garbutt; Chesters, Woodburn, Austerfield, Fornah; Kouassi, Adelakun

We say: Tranmere Rovers 2-2 Salford City

Possessing identical records after six matches, there is little to separate Tranmere and Salford ahead of their Friday night clash at Prenton Park.

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