Leyton Orient will be hoping to extend their lead at the summit of the League Two table when they travel to the Wirral to take on Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park on Saturday.
The O's are currently two points clear of Stevenage, who are in FA Cup action against Stoke City this weekend, while the Rovers are in 15th place, six points off the playoff positions.
Match preview
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Tranmere have been very inconsistent so far this season, at time showing all the hallmarks of a quality team but never really managing to put a solid run together in order to push towards the top seven.
It is rare that Micky Mellon's side are easily brushed aside, but drawing too many games has started to become a real issue, recently going on a run of five draws in seven League Two games, lacking the cutting edge to take all three points.
Despite their league position, the Rovers actually hold the third-best defensive record in the league, conceding just 23 goals in their 26 matches, but recently they have not kept it as tight at the back, keeping just one clean sheet in their last six games.
The Whites are searching for their first win of 2023, losing 1-0 away at Crewe Alexandra on New Year's Day, before going on to draw 2-2 against Sutton United in disappointing fashion, with goalkeeper Ross Doohan, who has now left the club, letting a tame effort go past him.
In the reverse fixture against Leyton Orient, Tranmere lost 2-0 at the Breyer Group Stadium, and so only a much-improved performance will give them any chance of getting a result against the league leaders on Saturday.
Indeed, Orient looked very impressive on that day, and they have continued to look solid throughout the campaign, hence why they are 12 points clear inside the automatic promotion places and well on track to return to League One.
The O's boast the best defensive record in the league, conceding just 16 goals, although they did have a rare off day against Stevenage in their last match, losing 3-0 away from home, in what could prove to be a huge moment in the title race.
Prior to that encounter, Richie Wellens's side had conceded just one goal in their last seven matches, so the manager will be hoping that it was just a blip, and he will expect a response from his side on Saturday.
Another thing that the O's will be keen to set straight is their recent record in front of goal, finding the net in just one of their last six matches, not scoring away from home since a 2-1 win at Stockport County in November.
Orient are still in a very promising position to be promoted, but they will need to start showing some of their early season form if they are to bring home the league title as well, as they have amassed only five points from their last five games.
Team News
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With Doohan completing a move to Forest Green Rovers earlier this month, Mateusz Hewelt is poised to make his second league start for Tranmere between the sticks.
The back four is likely to remain unchanged, but Mellon could mix things up in midfield, with Brad Walker in line to make his first appearance for the Rovers, having recently arrived from Port Vale.
Captain Kane Hemmings should keep his place in attack, but he could have a new strike partner in Logan Chalmers, after the 22-year-old recently completed a loan move from Dundee United.
Orient have a couple of notable absentees, with Tom James serving the second match of his three-game suspension, while Idris El Mizouni saw red against Stevenage, and is also unavailable.
In the midfielder's absence, George Moncur is set to come back into the team, having been benched for the trip to Stevenage, playing alongside Darren Pratley.
Tranmere Rovers possible starting lineup:
Hewelt; Dacres-Cogley, Davies, Turnbull, Bristow; Morris, O'Connor, Walker, Hawkes; Hemmings, Chalmers
Leyton Orient possible starting lineup:
Vigouroux; Hunt, Brown, James, Thomson; Pratley, Moncur; Smyth, Brown, Sotiriou; Kelman
We say: Tranmere Rovers 0-0 Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient have played out stalemates in three of their last six League Two matches, while Tranmere have also developed a habit of drawing games, and so we expect that to be the outcome on Saturday.
If any side is likely to emerge with the three points, it is the visitors, but they will need improved performances from the likes of Charlie Kelman and Paul Smyth to break down what is a solid backline.
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Top tip
Dominic Lund
