Preview: Oldham Athletic vs. Tranmere Rovers - prediction, team news, lineups

Oldham Athletic will host Tranmere Rovers on Tuesday evening, and the home side will be aiming for a victory that could lift them out of the relegation zone.

The visitors enter the fixture in 10th place, and will be looking for a positive response after suffering a 4-0 defeat in the FA Cup at the weekend.

Match preview

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Oldham head into the midweek fixture in the bottom two after losing consecutive league games, but a win in the EFL Trophy in their last outing may have provided a confidence boost.

A second-half strike from Harry Vaughan was enough to guide Oldham to a 1-0 away victory, setting up a last-16 tie with Wigan Athletic.

Without a game at the weekend, the Latics will be well-rested and will be hoping the break will help them in their bid to claim successive victories in all competitions.

As they turn their attentions to the league on Tuesday, they will be well aware that a change of fortunes is needed if they are to avoid the drop, with Oldham only collecting one win from their last seven league games.

Their home form is also in need of improvement, after only collecting seven points from their nine home league games - the lowest home points tally in the league.

Tranmere will be aiming to bounce back from a disappointing FA Cup exit on Saturday after suffering a 4-0 away defeat against Leyton Orient.

Two Orient goals either side of half time ensured Tranmere would play no further part in the FA Cup this season, with their attention now turning back to league matters.

Micky Mellon's side are four points adrift of the playoffs with a game in hand and they will be looking to build upon a four-point haul from their last two games.

A strong defence has been one of Tranmere's greatest strengths this season demonstrated by the eight league clean sheets they have kept this term, but a strong backline has compromised attacking flair.

Rovers have only managed to find the net on 15 occasions in League Two this season, although a trip to relegation-threatened Oldham offers an opportunity to add to that tally.

Team News

Davis Keillor-Dunn has top-scored for Oldham in the league this season, and the 24-year-old will be hoping to add to his four goal tally on Tuesday.

Despite scoring the winner in the EFL Trophy against Sunderland, Vaughan will have to settle for a place on the bench.

Meanwhile, Tom Davies missed Tranmere's FA Cup tie on Saturday through injury and the defender is still a doubt for Tuesday's encounter.

Sam Foley dropped to the bench for the Leyton Orient trip, but he could come back into the starting lineup.

Mellon will hope Paul Glatzel can continue his fine goalscoring form after grabbing four goals in his last five appearances.

Oldham Athletic possible starting lineup:
Leutwiler; Fage, McGahey, Piergianni, Hart; Bowden, Whelan, Keillor-Dunn; Bahamboula, Hopcutt, Dearnley

Tranmere Rovers possible starting lineup:
Doohan; Cogley, O'Connor, Clarke, Knight-Percival, MacDonald; Morris, Foley, Hawkes; Glatzel, Maynard

We say: Oldham Athletic 1-1 Tranmere Rovers

Despite facing relegation-threatened Oldham, the visitors will know it will be a tough away trip after only winning once on the road in League Two this season, and given the fact that Tranmere have picked up five away draws in the league, we think that this contest will also end all square.

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