Looking to pick up successive League Two victories for the first time this season, Stockport County travel to Prenton Park to face Tranmere Rovers on Friday.
The two teams have made disappointing starts to the new season and they are both positioned in the bottom half of the table with seven points from as many matches.
Tranmere failed to builed on the 2-0 home victory over Colchester United, as they were beaten by the same scoreline away against leaders Leyton Orient last weekend.
The Super White Army were tipped for a promotion push this season, but a lack of consistency has seen them drop down to 16th in the table, 12 points behind Orient at the top and seven points adrift of the playoffs.
Micky Mellon’s side, who have failed to win any of their opening four League Tow away matches, will welcome a return to Prenton Park where they have lost just two of their last 18 league matches, an impressive run dating back to November last year.
Tranmere have won six of their last seven home matches against Stockport County, although their last meeting was back in 0ctober 2010, when they claimed a 4-3 win on penalties in the last 16 of the EFL Trophy.
There were high expectations for Stockport heading into the 2022-23 campaign after winning the National League title last season, but they are yet to display their promotion abilities after winning just two of their opening seven matches.
However, they appear to have shown signs of a revial, having drawn 1-1 with 10 men against Swindon Town before narrowly beating AFC Wimbledon 1-0 at home last weekend.
Dave Challinor’s side will fancy their chances of building on last weekend’s win as they now prepare for three League Two matches against teams in the bottom half of the table.
Tranmere Rovers vs Stockport County head to head
These two teams have previously met on 20 occasions across all competitions, where Tranmere have claimed nine victories while Stockport have won four, and they have drawn in seven. Tranmere have scored 24 goals and conceded 17. In their last five meetings, Stockport have won one, Tranmere three with one draw.
Stockport County 0-0 Tranmere Rovers 28/10/08
Tranmere Rovers 2-1 Stockport County 27/01/09
Tranmere Rovers 0-2 Stockport County 12/10/09
Stockport County 0-3 Tranmere Rovers 08/05/10
Tranmere Rovers (P)0-0 Stockport County 26/10/10
Tranmere Rovers latest home form
Tranmere Rovers have recently failed to keep a good run of form at home, having won just two of their six most recent matches. They defeated Colchester United 2-0 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored eight goals and also conceded eight.
Tranmere Rovers 1-4 Huddersfield Town 23/07/22
Tranmere Rovers 1-2 Stevenage 30/07/22
Tranmere Rovers 3-0 Gillingham 13/08/22
Tranmere Rovers 1-2 Newcastle United 24/08/22
Tranmere Rovers 2-0 Colchester United 27/08/22
Tranmere Rovers latest away form
Tranmere Rovers have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having won just one of their five most recent matches. They lost 2-0 to Leyton Orient in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored three goals and conceded seven.
Mansfield Town 1-0 Tranmere Rovers 06/08/22
Accrington Stanley 2-2(P) Tranmere Rovers 09/08/22
Hartlepool United 0-0 Tranmere Rovers 16/08/22
Newport County 2-1 Tranmere Rovers 20/08/22
Leyton Orient 2-0 Tranmere Rovers 03/09/22
Stockport County latest home form
Stockport County have recently been on a relatively good run of form at home, having lost just two of their eight most recent matches. They defeated AFC Wimbledon 1-0 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored five goals and conceded four.
Stockport County 2-3 Barrow 30/07/22
Stockport County 1-0 Colchester United 13/08/22
Stockport County 0-0(P) Leicester City 23/08/22
Stockport County 1-1 Swindon Town 27/08/22
Stockport County 1-0 AFC Wimbledon 03/09/22
Stockport County latest away form
Stockport County have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having won just one of their five most recent matches. They lost 1-0 to Port Vale in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored four goals and conceded seven.
Stevenage 2-1 Stockport County 06/08/22
Harrogate Town 0-1 Stockport County 09/08/22
Doncaster Rovers 2-1 Stockport County 16/08/22
Mansfield Town 2-1 Stockport County 20/08/22
Port Vale 1-0 Stockport County 30/08/22
Tranmere Rovers news
Tranmere Rovers will be without Charlie Jolley, Tom Davies, Kyle Jameson, Joel Mumbongo, Luke Robinson and Kierom Morris due to injury.
Mellon has switched to a four-man defence in the last two weeks and he may opt to stick with it again, with Ethan Bristow, Jordan Turnbull and Josh Dacres-Cogley set to retain their spots.
Stockport County news
Stockport captain and striker Paddy Madden will serve the second of his three-game ban following his red card against Swindon, with Ollie Crankshaw and Kyle Wootton featuring up front.
Antoni Sarcevic is set to operate in the number 10 role, with Will Collar and Callum Camps dictating play from centre-midfield.
Prediction and Odds
Both teams will be keen to put aside their underwhelming starts to the new campaign and put together a positive run of form as they aim to climb the table towards playoff spots.
Tranmere have an execeptional home record, but we feel that Stocport are capable of picking up a point at Prenton Park.
Odds: 1 2.22 X 2.03 2 2.28
Probable outcomes
Tranmere Rovers 0-0 Stockport County
Tranmere Rovers 1-1 Stockport County
Tranmere Rovers 2-2 Stockport County
Tranmere Rovers 1-0 Stockport County
Tranmere Rovers 2-1 Stockport County
