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

Northampton Town could cement their place in the automatic promotion spots even further with a victory against Tranmere Rovers at Sixfields Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The visitors will be looking to make up lost ground on the League Two playoff places, starting proceedings five points off the top seven, in 12th.

Match preview

After missing out on automatic promotion in dramatic style last season, Northampton will not want their fate to be decided on the final day this time around, and they are currently third in the table, four points clear of nearest side Barrow.

The Cobblers have emerged as real promotion contenders as a result of their goalscoring exploits, having scored 34 goals at this stage, the most of any side in the division.

After a somewhat tricky spell near the start of October, in which Jon Brady's side did not score in three matches, losing twice, they have really managed to get back on track since, and they are now unbeaten in six league games.

In that time, however, it is away from home where they have picked up the majority of their points, being held to draws at home against Newport County and Sutton United, but winning seemingly tougher games against Bradford City and Stevenage on their travels.

Against the Bantams, in their most recent match, the Cobblers emerged 3-1 winners at Valley Parade, with a second-half strike from Sam Sherring rounding off Mitchell Pinnock and Shaun McWilliams' efforts before the break.

Tranmere are enduring a much more difficult patch of form as of late, and they are now winless in their last eight games in all competitions.

A lack of goals has been a real issue concerning Micky Mellon's side for the majority of the season, and they have not netted more than one goal in a game since a 3-0 victory against Crewe Alexandra in the middle of October.

While they have struggled in the attacking third, the Rovers have largely been solid in a defensive sense, with their record of 16 goals conceded being the second-lowest of any side in the division.

Last time out, Tranmere at least looked to be heading through in the EFL Trophy, although they squandered the slender lead handed to them by Jordan Turnbull when Mustapha Carayol equalised for Burton Albion in stoppage time.

The Whites led in the penalty shootout, but again surrendered their advantage when Paul Lewis fluffed his lines before Bobby Kamwa sealed their fate by converting his spot kick, eliminating Mellon's side from the final cup competition they were a part of.

Team News

© Reuters

Northampton have an almost entirely clean bill of health for the weekend's game, with defender Tyler Magloire returning to training this week, but left-back Ali Koiki will continue to miss out.

Sam Hoskins served his one-game ban against Bradford last time out, and Jon Brady is likely to return him to the starting lineup immediately, given the fact that he is the league's joint-top scorer.

The winger should replace Louis Appere, with Mitchell Pinnock playing on the right, supporting Kieron Bowie as the main striker.

Tranmere will field a stronger team than they did in the EFL Trophy in midweek, with Jon Nolan likely to drop to the bench in favour of joint-top scorer Josh Hawkes at left midfield.

First choice goalkeeper Ross Doohan should also come into the team, replacing Mateusz Hewelt, but Micky Mellon will have to continue to do without Dynel Simeu, who remains suspended, with Jordan Turnbull likely to play alongside Tom Davies in the centre of defence.

Northampton Town possible starting lineup:

Burge; McGowan, Sherring, Guthrie, Odimayo; Fox, Sowerby, McWilliams; Hoskins, Bowie, Pinnock

Tranmere Rovers possible starting lineup:

Doohan; Cogley, Davies, Turnbull, Bristow; Morris, O'Connor, Merrie, Hawkes; Hemmings, Nevitt

We say: Northampton Town 2-0 Tranmere Rovers

Tranmere have not been at the races in recent weeks and should succumb to a defeat on the road against one of the division's best sides. Northampton have a great chance to make it three wins on the spin, and secure their place in the automatic promotion spots.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.