Preview: Salford City vs Tranmere Rovers - prediction, team news, lineups

Salford City's quest for promotion from League Two will continue when they welcome Tranmere Rovers to the Peninsula Stadium on Saturday.

After six league fixtures, the hosts are 11th with 10 points but are only one point ahead of the 12th-placed visitors, who lost 2-1 against Notts County on August 30 in their fifth league game.

Match preview

The home side rescued a point against last-placed Cheltenham Town on August 29, netting an equaliser in the third minute of second-half stoppage time.

Salford did bounce back from their disappointing draw with a 2-0 triumph against Wigan Athletic in the EFL Trophy on September 2, scoring as many goals in that match as they had in their prior three.

The Ammies' record of seven goals scored in League Two is the joint worst return in the top 14, while the club have kept just one clean sheet in the fourth tier so far.

Manager Karl Robinson has guided his side to three wins in five - suffering just one defeat in that time - but his team have drawn one and been beaten in one of their past two in the league.

The Peninsula Stadium has not proven to be a fruitful ground for Salford this campaign considering they have lost two of their four outings at home, winning once at the venue.

Tranmere Rovers produced 11 shots from inside the box against Notts County, but despite only facing four attempts from inside the penalty area themselves, they still failed to take any points from the clash.

The visitors have scored nine goals in five games, and their average of 1.8 goals per 90 is the joint best in the division.

Rovers were beaten 2-0 by Salford in February and drew 0-0 with their hosts in September 2024, whereas they had won three of their prior four encounters.

Boss Andy Crosby's side have been defeated in two of their last three in all competitions, but their loss against Notts County was their first in the league, with the club claiming three points twice.

Tranmere have triumphed in one of their two away games this season - they drew the other - and they only suffered one defeat in their final seven outings on the road in 2024-25.

Salford City League Two form:

Salford City form (all competitions):

Tranmere Rovers League Two form:

Tranmere Rovers form (all competitions):

Team News

Salford may utilise a front two on the weekend, with Jay Bird and Kallum Cesay candidates to start together.

If the hosts continue to use a midfield three, expect Ben Woodburn, Jorge Grant and Josh Austerfield to feature.

Given that goalkeeper Matthew Young was called up to the England Under-21s squad, Mark Howard will no doubt be considered as an option between the posts.

Opponents Tranmere will be without Josh Williams due to international commitments, but they will be able to call upon Richard Smallwood and Nohan Kenneh in the central midfielder's absence.

Wingers Jayden Joseph and Omari Patrick could be asked to play either side of centre-forward Josh Davison.

Salford City possible starting lineup:

Howard; Turton, Oluwo, Garbutt; Longelo, Woodburn, Grant, Austerfield, Harris; Bird, Cesay

Tranmere Rovers possible starting lineup:

McGee; O'Connor, Smith, Brough; Norman, Smallwood, Kenneh, Bristow; Joseph, Patrick; Davison