Tranmere Rovers will be looking to extend their unbeaten run in League Two to four games when they play host to Rochdale at Prenton Park on Tuesday.
While the hosts could move into the playoff spots with a victory here, their visitors will be looking to steer themselves clear of the relegation zone.
Tranmere are currently sitting in ninth place in the League Two standings, two points adrift of seventh-placed Carlisle United, who they face next Saturday.
Micky Mellon has really managed to get his side playing recently, winning five matches on the bounce without conceding a goal, before playing a 1-1 draw away at Harrogate Town at the weekend.
They have the second-best defensive record in the league, conceding just 10 goals in the league this season, largely due to the superb centre-back partnership of Dynel Simeu and Jordan Turnbull.
Having picked up just one points in matches where they have conceded so far this season, the Tranmere defence will need to continue to be at its best in this contest.
Meanwhile, Rochdale enter the match off the back of a 2-1 defeat at home to AFC Wimbledon at the weekend, which has left them 22nd in the League Two standings, just two points above the relegation zone.
Ayoub Assal gave Wimbledon the lead in the first half, with Josh Davison doubling the lead just after the hour mark, before Tyrese Sinclair’s goal halved the deficit for the hosts.
Despite the result, Jim Bentley has managed to improve his side’s form in recent matches, winning three of the four games prior to their weekend fixture to move out of the relegation zone.
Now two points clear of 23rd-placed Colchester United, Rochdale will be keen to put some much-needed distance between themselves and the relegation zone with a win on Tuesday.
Tranmere Rovers vs Rochdale head to head
These two teams have previously met on nine occasions across all competitions, where Tranmere have claimed three victories while Rochdale have won four, and they have drawn in two. They have each scored 13 goals in the process. In their last five meetings, Tranmere have won two while Rochdale have won three.
Rochdale 0-2 Tranmere Rovers 20/03/12
Tranmere Rovers 1-3 Rochdale 28/07/18
Tranmere Rovers 2-3 Rochdale 03/08/19
Rochdale 1-0 Tranmere Rovers 11/09/21
Tranmere Rovers 2-0 Rochdale 15/01/22
Tranmere Rovers latest home form
Tranmere Rovers have recently been on a relatively good run of form at home, having lost just two of their six most recent matches. They defeated Crewe Alexandra 3-0 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored 10 goals and conceded nine.
Tranmere Rovers 1-2 Bradford City 13/09/22
Tranmere Rovers (P)2-2 Bolton Wanderers 20/09/22
Tranmere Rovers 1-0 Barrow 01/10/22
Tranmere Rovers 3-5 Leeds United U21 04/10/22
Tranmere Rovers 3-0 Crewe Alexandra 18/10/22
Tranmere Rovers latest away form
Tranmere Rovers have recently been on a good run of form on the road, having been unbeaten in their five most recent matches. They drew 1-1 with Harrogate Town in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored six goals and conceded one.
Salford City 0-1 Tranmere Rovers 17/09/22
Walsall 0-1 Tranmere Rovers 24/09/22
Sutton United 0-2 Tranmere Rovers 08/10/22
Crewe Alexandra 0-1 Tranmere Rovers 18/10/22
Harrogate Town 1-1 Tranmere Rovers 22/10/22
Rochdale latest home form
Rochdale have recently failed to keep a good run of form at home, having won just two of their eight most recent matches. They lost 2-1 to AFC Wimbledon in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored seven goals and conceded seven.
Rochdale 1-0 Liverpool U21 20/09/22
Rochdale 1-2 Doncaster Rovers 01/10/22
Rochdale 2-1 Barrow 15/10/22
Rochdale 2-2(P) Salford City 18/10/22
Rochdale 1-2 AFC Wimbledon 22/10/22
Rochdale latest away form
Rochdale have recently seemed to be on an upturn in form on the road, having won each of their two most recent matches. They managed to defeat Newport County 1-0 in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored eight goals and conceded nine.
Accrington Stanley (P)3-3 Rochdale 30/08/22
Carlisle United 3-3 Rochdale 03/09/22
Northampton Town 3-0 Rochdale 17/09/22
Colchester United 0-1 Rochdale 24/09/22
Newport County 0-1 Rochdale 08/10/22
Tranmere Rovers news
Jordan Turnbull and Dynel Simeu have been the key figures in Tranmere’s recent good run of form, and they are both set to start again at centre-back.
Ethan Bristow and Josh Dacres-Cogley are set to feature either side of them, while Paul Lewis could potentially again miss out with a hamstring injury.
Rochdale news
Tyrese Sinclair replaced the injured Scott Quigley in the Rochdale XI at the weekend, and is set to lead the line again, with Connor Malley playing just behind him.
Devante Rodney will start on the right side of midfield, and Abraham Odoh on the opposite side, with Laim Kelly and Toumani Diagouraga in centre midfield.
Prediction and Odds
Tranmere have developed a habit of winning matches by narrow margins in recent occasions, and we think that they will do the same on Tuesday.
Rochdale have seemed to improve under Jim Bentley, and will make it tough for the hosts, but they will just about come up short here.
Odds: 1 2.23 X 2.05 2 2.89
Probable outcomes
Tranmere Rovers 1-0 Rochdale
Tranmere Rovers 2-0 Rochdale
Tranmere Rovers 2-1 Rochdale
Tranmere Rovers 0-0 Rochdale
Tranmere Rovers 1-1 Rochdale