Preview:Tranmere Rovers vs Burton Albion - prediction, team news, lineups

In this cross-division EFL Cup first round tie, a resurgent Tranmere Rovers are set to face Burton Albion at Prenton Park on Tuesday.

Rovers will be looking to build on their win last time out, while the Brewers will be hoping to bounce back from their defeat at the weekend.

Match preview

Andy Crosby's Tranmere finished the 2024-25 League Two season just nine points away from demotion to the National League, but they have started strongly this term and will be looking towards the top half.

Rovers are currently unbeaten in the fourth tier, and occupy fourth place with four points to their name, as well as an impressive +4 goal difference after just two games.

On Saturday, Crosby's side followed up their 1-1 opening day stalemate with Colchester United by thrashing Shrewsbury Town 4-0, a result the manager will be particularly proud of considering that the Shrews were in League One last season.

Additionally, Tranmere are now undefeated across their last five competitive matches, winning three and drawing two in a stretch that goes back to mid-April, and their resilience suggests that they could frustrate their higher-division opponents this week.

Compounding this sense of possibility is the hosts' record at Prenton Park, and with five victories from their last six competitive home games, Rovers fans will be quietly confident of causing an upset on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Burton endured a difficult start to 2024-25 that put them at serious risk of dropping down into League Two, but Gary Bowyer led the team to survival by the skin of their teeth.

This time around, the Brewers will be keen to avoid the stress of another relegation battle, and they made a commendable start to that effort by beating Mansfield Town 2-1 on matchday one, though they did taste defeat at the hands of Barnsley in a 3-2 loss at the weekend.

A 50 percent record has Bowyer's men 11th in League One with three points, exactly three short of Doncaster Rovers in the playoff spots and three above Peterborough United in the drop zone.

Including pre-season games, Albion have won four of their last six matches, and while the majority were friendlies, the fact that they beat Championship sides Birmingham City and Derby County this summer could give some supporters confidence that their team can handle a cup clash against lower-tier opposition.

However, Burton have been dire on the road in recent months, losing five, drawing one and winning just one of their seven away games since mid-March, a stretch that is sure to have other fans questioning their club's chances despite their League One status.

Tranmere Rovers form (all competitions):

Burton Albion form (all competitions):

Team News

If Tranmere consider the EFL Cup a priority, then Josh Davison should start up top, though Kristian Dennis is more likely to be in the XI this week.

The striker should be backed up by Taylan Harris and Charlie Whitaker in attack, while Connor Jennings will be on standby to provide more firepower from the bench.

Forty-three-year-old backup goalkeeper Joe Murphy could make a rare appearance between the sticks, shielded by a back three of Lee O'Connor, Nathan Smith and Patrick Brough.

As for Burton, they could be without midfielder Kegs Chauke after he was taken off with an injury against Barnsley, so expect to see Ciaran Gilligan join Charlie Webster in the centre of the park in midweek.

Striker Fabio Tavares started on Saturday along with attacking midfielder JJ McKiernan, though Tyrese Shade should line up at centre-forward on Tuesday, supported by Julian Larsson.

Tranmere Rovers possible starting lineup:

Murphy; O'Connor, Smith, Brough; Norman, Smallwood, Kenneh, Patrick; Harris, Whitaker; Dennis

Burton Albion possible starting lineup:

Amissah; Godwin-Malife, Moon, Sibbick; Lofthouse, Gilligan, Webster, Williams; Larsson, Beesley; Shade