In a match that could affect the fight for survival in League Two, Fleetwood Town are set to host relegation-threatened Tranmere Rovers at Highbury Stadium on Saturday.
The Fishermen will be looking to get back on track after their unbeaten streak was broken last week, while Rovers will be aiming for their third win on the bounce.
Match preview
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Pete Wild‘s Fleetwood had won two and drawn two of their four games prior to their loss against Colchester United on March 15, and they will feel capable of seizing three points against one of the division’s relegation candidates.
Adding to this sense is the fact that the Fishermen may consider themselves unlucky to have been beaten 3-0 at the Jobserve Community Stadium last time out, having forced U’s goalkeeper Matt Macey into making seven saves.
Regardless, that defeat saw Wild’s side fall to 14th in League Two, where their 49 points has them comfortably safe but also nine points from the playoff spots.
However, the hosts may be able to take a step towards the fourth-tier’s promotion hopefuls this weekend given the strength of their home record that features just one loss since early December.
That being said, Fleetwood will be up against a rejuvenated team on Saturday, but if they are able to find a win, then three points would be enough for them to climb up to 11th ahead of Cheltenham Town, Chesterfield and Bromley.
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Andy Crosby took interim charge of Tranmere after Nigel Adkins left the club by mutual consent last month, and the temporary boss remains unbeaten across his four matches in charge so far.
Most recently, Rovers followed up their 2-1 win over Bromley by impressively beating second-placed Bradford City on the road on March 15.
Those back-to-back victories came after back-to-back draws, and the eight points that Crosby’s men earned this month have lifted them out of the relegation zone and into 22nd, where they now have a six-point cushion between themselves and 23rd-placed Morecambe.
The visitors have a symmetrical home and away record under their interim manager, and with such momentum on their side – as well as an excellent win and clean sheet at Bradford – Tranmere will feel confident of securing another positive result this weekend.
Should Rovers take all three points once again on Saturday, then they could find themselves nine points clear of the drop zone and one point behind both Harrogate Town and Accrington Stanley should results elsewhere prove favourable.
Team News
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Fleetwood are likely to be without striker Ryan Graydon this weekend after he was withdrawn with an injury early on against Colchester.
In his absence, Wild could partner Owen Devonport with Louie Marsh up top, with the duo supported from out wide by wing-backs Ryan Broom and MacKenzie Hunt.
As for Tranmere, centre-back Lee O’Connor will captain the visitors alongside Jordan Turnbull and Connor Wood in the backline.
Further forward, Josh Hawkes, who netted the winner against Bradford from 12 yards, should be joined by Kieron Morris behind striker Kristian Dennis.
Fleetwood Town possible starting lineup:
Lynch; Bennett, Bolton, Sarpong-Wiredu; Broom, Virtue-Thick, Bonds, Helm, Hunt; Marsh, Devonport
Tranmere Rovers possible starting lineup:
McGee; O’Connor, Turnbull, Wood; Norman, Finley, Hendry, Patrick; Hawkes, Morris; Dennis
We say: Fleetwood Town 1-1 Tranmere Rovers
Both sides come into this match in improved form, and Fleetwood were unlucky to have lost last time out, while Tranmere have been rejuvenated under their interim manager.
Considering that the Fishermen have proven tough to beat at home in recent months, expect to see a close-fought stalemate on Saturday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
