Preview: Colchester United vs Tranmere Rovers - prediction, team news, lineups

Colchester United and Tranmere Rovers kick off their League Two campaigns this Saturday afternoon when the two clubs meet at the JobServe Community Stadium.

The U’s enter their 10th season in the fourth tier and will be looking to make a push for the playoffs, while Rovers will be hoping to avoid another battle against relegation.

Match preview

Danny Cowley and his men missed out on the play off places by three points last season, which in hindsight was down to their stuttering start to the campaign.

Colchester won just two of their first 15 league matches and even dropped to 21st position in the table before turning their fortunes around later in the campaign.

The club will be hoping for a far brighter start, especially after making a handful of notable signings in the summer transfer window.

The U’s have strengthened by recruiting ex-Nottingham Forest midfielder Ben Perry, Oxford United-owned centre forward Will Goodwin and former MK Dons defender Jack Turner. What is more, the club have also extended the contract of their captain, Tom Flanagan.

With new names in the squad and a promising pre-season campaign under their belt, Colchester will be hoping for a solid start to the term.

Tranmere Rovers will also be keen to make improvements after Andy Crosby helped them avoid relegation last season.

The 52-year-old took over from Nigel Adkins last February and lost just two of his 11 matches as he dragged the Rovers to safety.

Crosby, who was initially brought in on an interim basis, has now been given the job on a full-time basis and also had the opportunity to have a full pre-season with his squad.

Speaking of the squad, Tranmere have certainly embarked on a clear out, with 10 players being released at the end of last season.

Rovers have strengthened with a handful of signings, and they also picked up a number of encouraging friendly results over the summer.

Team News

Colchester United will be without defender Ellis Iandolo for the season opener, with the player still struggling with a knee injury.

Apart from that, Cowley has a full squad at his disposal ahead of Saturday, including all of his new summer signings.

Tranmere have no reported injuries going into the fixture, leaving Crosby with the ability to field his strongest team.

New signings Ethan Bristow, Nohan Kenneh, Patrick Brough, Nathan Smith, Charlie Whitaker and Richard Smallwood all played against Wigan in the club’s last friendly, and they are all in contention for a starting place on Saturday.

Colchester United possible starting lineup: Macey; Flanagan, Iandolo, Hunt, Tucker; Gape, Perry; Read, Bishop, Anderson; Goodwin

Tranmere Rovers possible starting lineup: McGee; O’Connor, Turnbull, Smith, Bristow; Lowe, Kenneh, Smallwood; Whitaker, Dennis, Davison