Preview: Tranmere Rovers vs. Colchester United - prediction, team news, lineups

Tranmere Rovers play host to Colchester United on Friday evening with the opportunity to move into the top four of the League Two standings.

While the home side have gone three games without suffering defeat, Colchester have failed to win in the same amount of outings.

Match preview

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When Tranmere endured a frustrating start to the season, Micky Mellon's return to Prenton Park naturally became a hot topic for debate.

However, Rovers have been excellent since the beginning of September, claiming five wins from seven games in all competitions and moving into contention higher up the table.

While the North-West outfit remain down in ninth position, they will move level on points with third-placed Port Vale if they prevail in a fourth home fixture in succession.

Goals remain an issue for this Tranmere side, but Mellon will be encouraged that two strikes came in each of the home triumphs over Salford City and Crawley Town.

Combined with the goalless draw away at leaders Forest Green Rovers, the signs are there that Tranmere can become a real force in the race for promotion.

Everyone associated with Colchester would have been hoping for the same under Hayden Mullins, particularly after their strong end to the last campaign.

However, that may have been asking for too much at this stage of Mullins's tenure, and sitting in 18th spot with a game in hand should not be regarded as a disaster.

Mullins's most pressing concern will be improving on a run of just one point from three games, none of which saw Colchester get on the scoresheet.

While a team possessing their quality in the final third should improve as the season progresses, going up against the division's best defence has come at the wrong time.

Team News

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Having made nine changes for the EFL Trophy win at Salford in midweek, Mellon could revert back to the team which edged past Crawley last weekend.

Middlesbrough loanee Stephen Walker has been limited to EFL Trophy football since his arrival at Tranmere, but his late goal versus Salford may bring him into Mellon's thinking for this contest.

Calum MacDonald is available after serving the one-match ban for his dismissal at Forest Green.

Despite having had a free midweek, Mullins is expected to feel more inclined to make several alterations to his Colchester XI.

Thomas Eastman and Brendan Sarpong-Wiredu are both in contention for recalls, while Luke Hannant is an option if Mullins wants a different approach in midfield.

Tranmere Rovers possible starting lineup:
Doohan; Dacres-Cogley, Davies, Clarke, Merrie; McManaman, Foley, Spearing, Morris, Hawkes; Nevitt

Colchester United possible starting lineup:
George; Coxe, Chambers, Eastman, Daniels; Skuse, Sarpong-Wiredu; Sears, Judge, Chilvers; Nouble

We say: Tranmere Rovers 1-0 Colchester United

With neither team involved in many entertaining fixtures this season, no-one should expect any different here. Colchester will fancy their chances of earning at least a share of the spoils at Prenton Park, but we are backing the home side to edge this contest by the narrowest of margins.

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