In what could turn out to be one of the biggest matches of the League Two season, Tranmere Rovers will welcome league leaders Forest Green Rovers to Prenton Park on Saturday afternoon.
Tranmere will begin the weekend seven points ahead of Forest Green, having played one game more, with the visitors looking for three points to take them clear at the top.
Match preview
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An almost faultless campaign for Forest Green has seen them deservedly race to the top of League Two, with a first-ever promotion to League One beckoning for Rob Edwards' men.
Just two defeats from 25 league matches has provided Forest Green with the platform to challenge for automatic promotion, which they look all but destined to achieve heading into the seasons' final furlong.
In fact, both of Forest Green's defeats this season have come in the comfort of their own home, with Rovers unbeaten on the road so far this term.
Picking up seven wins and five draws from their 12 away matches, no side have taken more points during matches on the road than Forest Green, who will be keen to add another three points on the Wirral on Saturday.
Much like their opponents this weekend, Tranmere are also in the mix for automatic promotion, and Rovers currently lead the way out of the sides below Forest Green.
Hoping to continue their upwards trajectory under Micky Mellon, the hosts will welcome Forest Green in the midst of a five-match unbeaten run.
The only time that Tranmere have dropped points of any kind came back in November 2021, with Mellon's men boasting an impressive eight-game winning streak in League Two.
With nothing able to separate the two sides the previous time that they met this season, both Tranmere and Forest Green will be looking to improve on September's goalless draw and edge what could turn out to be a season-defining clash.
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Team News
Already having made a number of signings during the January window, Tranmere also penned a permanent deal for Josh Hawkes this week.
Having spent the first part of the season on loan at Rovers, Hawkes made his move from League One Sunderland permanent, joining until the summer of 2024.
Hawkes will be looking to provide extra creativity for front duo Kane Hemmings and Charlie Jolley, who will lead the line for the hosts this weekend.
For leaders Forest Green, their standout pair are undoubtedly striking duo Matthew Stevens and Jamille Matt, who have netted a combined total of 31 goals for Rovers this season.
The visitors will enter the clash with Tranmere operating with their trademark 3-5-2 system, with Jordan Moore-Taylor marshalling a back three, alongside Udoka Godwin-Malife and Baily Cargill.
Tranmere Rovers possible starting lineup:
Doohan; Cogley, Foley, Clarke, MacDonald; Morris, Spearing, Lee, McPake; Jolley, Hemmings
Forest Green Rovers possible starting lineup:
McGee; Godwin-Malife, Moore-Taylor, Cargill; Wilson, Stevenson, Hendry, Cadden; Young, Matt, Stevens
We say: Tranmere Rovers 1-2 Forest Green Rovers
A tight affair is expected at Prenton Park on Saturday afternoon as both Tranmere and Forest Green target a crucial win in their promotion push.
While Tranmere may boast home advantage, Forest Green have looked unstoppable at times this season and should escape Merseyside with all three points.
Top tip
Data Analysis
Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Forest Green Rovers win with a probability of 36.3%. A win for Tranmere Rovers had a probability of 36.07% and a draw had a probability of 27.6%.
The most likely scoreline for a Forest Green Rovers win was 0-1 with a probability of 10.88%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 1-2 (7.86%) and 0-2 (6.55%). The likeliest Tranmere Rovers win was 1-0 (10.83%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (13.05%). The actual scoreline of 0-4 was predicted with a 0.8% likelihood. Our team at Sports Mole and our data analysis both correctly predicted that Forest Green Rovers would win this match.
