Tranmere Rovers will be looking to put an end to their recent poor run of form when they host Crawley Town at Prenton Park in League Two on Saturday afternoon.
The Super White Army are set to commence proceedings 15th in the league standings, while the Red Devils are in 19th place, six points below their opponents.
Match preview
© Reuters
Tranmere are enduring a real mid-season slump, having failed to record a victory in their last 10 outings in all competitions, stretching back to a 1-0 win away at Crewe Alexandra in the middle of October.
Goals have been a real issue for the Wirral club in that timeframe, registering a total of six and not once managing to score more than one in a single match.
One small silver lining for the Rovers is that they have only lost three league games in their recent poor run, drawing five and showing some decent signs by picking up good points away at the likes of Swindon Town and Northampton Town.
As such, Micky Mellon's side still remain only six points off the playoff places, but they will have to start turning their form around soon if they stand any chance of making a success out of their third straight season in League Two.
In their last match, Tranmere were once again second best in an away trip to Grimsby Town, falling to a 2-1 defeat at Blundell Park, with Jake Burton's goal in the second half failing to instigate a turnaround.
Owing to inconsistent form this season, Crawley may be looking over their shoulder at the relegation zone based on their current league position, although they still have a healthy seven point gap between them and the bottom two at present.
That could change if the Red Devils do not start winning games more regularly, though, as they have only won two consecutive games on one occasion all season.
Poor away form has been the main reason why Lewis Young's side have failed to put a solid run together up to this point, as they are still chasing their first win on their travels all season, drawing on five occasions but never going one step further and securing all three points.
Crawley's record at the People's Pension Stadium was starting to pick up in recent weeks, courtesy of victories against fourth-placed Barrow and playoff-chasing Swindon Town, matches they won without conceding a goal.
Last time out, however, the Red Devils' same old consistency problem returned, falling to a 2-0 defeat at home against Hartlepool United, a side in the relegation zone prior to the match.
Team News
© Reuters
Tranmere had to make without do without Elliott Nevitt in the last match, as he is suffering with a slight hamstring issue, so Jake Burton is likely to be rewarded for his goal with a first league start this season.
Jordan Turnbull has now served his three-game ban after getting sent off in the away trip to Swindon, so could come back in at centre-back, partnering Tom Davies.
Josh Hawkes is the Rovers' joint-top scorer in the league with four goals, and he is set for a start on the left of midfield, with Kieron Morris on the opposite side, both providing for captain Kane Hemmings in attack.
Crawley's Ashley Nadesan and Joel Lynch had to be withdrawn in the first half against Hartlepool, picking up injuries in off-the-ball incidents, and could be doubts for Saturday's clash.
In their absence, Mazeed Ogungbo may come in at centre-back, while Lewis Young may opt for Jayden Davis on the right of midfield.
Tranmere Rovers possible starting lineup:
Doohan; Cogley, Davies, Turnbull, Bristow; Morris, O'Connor, Merrie, Hawkes; Hemmings, Burton
Crawley Town possible starting lineup:
Balcombe; Johnson, Ogungbo, Craig, Tsaroulla; Hessenthaler, Tilley, Powell, Balagizi, Davis; Telford
We say: Tranmere Rovers 1-0 Crawley Town
Tranmere have been on a really poor run of form, but they are above Crawley in the table and have enough quality to secure a narrow victory on home soil.
Crawley have not won away all season and lost in disappointing style against Hartlepool last time out, so they are likely to come away empty-handed again.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Dominic Lund
