MX23RW : Sunday, October 23 21:56:27| >> :600:827260:827260:
[monks data]
Sep 24, 2022 at 3pm UK at The Banks's Stadium
Walsall
0 - 1
Tranmere

Maddox (61')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Nevitt (90+6')
McAlear (29'), Hemmings (38')

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

Sports Mole previews Saturday's League Two clash between Walsall and Tranmere Rovers, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

With the two sides separated by one position and one point in the table, Walsall and Tranmere Rovers will both be looking to kickstart their seasons when they meet on Saturday after less-than-ideal starts.

Hosts Walsall go into the game with the joint-worst form in the league, only picking up two points in their last six games, so a positive result for them may prove to be more crucial.


Match preview

Michael Flynn in charge of Newport County on December 1, 2018© Reuters

Walsall welcome Tranmere to the West Midlands having not picked up a victory in the league since the start of August, when they defeated Newport County 1-0 to make it two wins from two at the start of the campaign.

Since then, the Saddlers are winless in seven League Two outings, picking up only three points from the 21 on offer in that time, while their winless streak across all competitions stretches to 10 games.

It has been a drastic downturn in form after such a bright start to the campaign, although if there are any positives to be drawn from those results it is that they have only conceded nine goals in those seven league games.

Indeed, while Walsall have lost seven of their last 10 in all competitions, none of those defeats have come by more than a single goal, so there are fine margins that are preventing them from picking up more points.

Despite the team's form, striker Danny Johnson has still been in good goalscoring form, and his tally of six goals already this season will provide optimism that they have the firepower required to snap out of their current slump.

Since Walsall's last win Tranmere have picked up three of their own, including an impressive 1-0 victory away at sixth-placed Salford City in their most recent outing.

Tranmere have kept a clean sheet in each of those wins too, although those have been stretched out over a nine-game run and they will be aware of the need to find such defensive stability on a more consistent basis.

Full-backs Ethan Bristow and Josh Cogley have been ever-presents in the starting XI this season and this continuity just adds to the settled nature of the Tranmere backline.

Although there are certainly more things to be positive about for Tranmere, they have lost three of their last five league games, so the result of this game is by no means clear.

Walsall competition form:


Walsall form (all competitions):


Tranmere Rovers competition form:


Tranmere Rovers form (all competitions):



Team News

Tranmere Rovers' Elliott Nevitt celebrates scoring their first goal on August 24, 2022© Reuters

Walsall have used both three-at-the-back and four-at-the-back formations this season, seemingly not settled on either choice, which is understandable when you are searching for a winning formula.

After picking up a point in their last home fixture, playing in a 3-5-2, it is to be expected that this will be their preferred setup going into this fixture, with Hayden White coming back into the side after missing the last league fixture.

Tranmere Rovers have mostly stuck to a 5-3-2 formation but have recently been experimenting with a 4-4-2 which proved successful for them in their victories against Colchester United and most recently Salford City.

It would be surprising if a change was made to the winning team which started last game, including Josh Hawkes, who scored the winner last time out but has only started four games this season.

Walsall possible starting lineup:
Evans; Monthe, Daniels, White; Allen, Kinsella, Hutchinson, Comley, Bennett; Johnson, Knowles

Tranmere Rovers possible starting lineup:
Doohan; Bristow, Turnbull, Simeu, Cogley; Hawkes, McAlear, O'Connor, Hughes; Hemmings, Nevitt


SM words green background

We say: Walsall 1-2 Tranmere Rovers


After a positive result against Salford, Tranmere should be full of confidence. Coming up against an out-of-form Walsall side, it seems like the result may be pretty clear, although Walsall have kept games tight so a one-goal margin should be expected.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data

ID:495193:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect12747:

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


How you voted: Walsall vs Tranmere

Walsall
20.0%
Draw
20.0%
Tranmere Rovers
60.0%
10
Game History
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Norwich City manager Dean Smith applauds fans after the match on May 22, 2022
Read Next:
Tuesday's EFL Cup predictions including Norwich vs. Birmingham
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Premier League
Championship
La Liga
Serie A
Bundesliga
Ligue 1
Eredivisie
Primeira Liga
Turkish Super Lig
Belgian Pro League
Greek Superleague
Swiss Super League
Russian Premier League
Ukrainian Premier League
Norwegian Eliteserien
Swedish Allsvenskan
Danish Superliga
Finnish Veikkausliiga Playoffs
Belarusian Premier League
Segunda Division
Serie B
2.Bundesliga
MLS Playoffs
Brasileiro
Argentine Primera Division
Uruguayan Primera Division
Liga MX
Australian A-League
Premier League 2 - Div 2
International Friendlies
Women's Super League
Gallagher Premiership
NFL
6pm
Falcons
@
Bengals
6pm
Lions
@
Cowboys
6pm
Giants
@
Jags
6pm
Buccaneers
@
Panthers
6pm
Browns
@
Ravens
6pm
Colts
@
Titans
6pm
Packers
@
Washington
9.05pm
Jets
@
Broncos
9.05pm
Texans
@
Raiders
9.25pm
Chiefs
@
49ers
9.25pm
Seahawks
@
Chargers
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leyton Orient1410312391433
2Stevenage1510232214832
3Northampton TownNorthampton1593326161030
4Mansfield TownMansfield148242316726
5Swindon TownSwindon157531714326
6Bradford CityBradford147431911825
7Carlisle UnitedCarlisle146622114724
8Salford City147341712524
9Tranmere RoversTranmere147251710723
10Grimsby Town146531711623
11BarrowBarrow147161716122
12Doncaster RoversDoncaster156451920-122
13Crewe AlexandraCrewe144641416-218
14Sutton UnitedSutton155371418-418
15Walsall154561715217
16Stockport CountyStockport144371619-315
17AFC Wimbledon144371621-515
18Newport CountyNewport154291419-514
19Gillingham14275614-813
20Harrogate TownHarrogate143381118-712
21Crawley TownCrawley143381525-1012
22Rochdale143291121-1011
23Colchester UnitedColchester142391019-99
24Hartlepool UnitedHartlepool151681327-149

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Match previews - Daily
Transfer Talk Daily
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!