Two sides enduring a difficult spell go head-to-head this weekend in round 31 of League Two as Salford City host Tranmere Rovers at Moor Lane.
The Ammies are desperate to end a five-match winless run in the league and six across all competitions, while the visitors have also gone five games without victory in the fourth tier.
Match preview
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Salford's season has taken a sharp downturn, as they have gone from an impressive six-match winning streak in League Two to their worst run of the campaign.
During this streak, Karl Robinson's side suffered three successive defeats followed by a trio of draws, with their latest outing encapsulating their inconsistencies.
Salford staged a dramatic 3-3 comeback against Bromley after falling three goals behind, launching their fightback through Lewis Warrington before Matty Lund pulled another back and Cole Stockton completed the turnaround in stoppage time.
That result leaves the Ammies eighth in the standings with 45 points, two behind seventh-placed Bradford City, who occupy the final playoff spot — making a return to winning ways imperative in their push for a Championship qualification berth, starting with this weekend's clash.
However, Robinson's men face a tough challenge against a Tranmere side they have never beaten at home, with all five previous meetings at Moor Lane ending without victory for the hosts, including back-to-back losses by a 6-1 aggregate scoreline.
After playing out a goalless draw in the reverse fixture in September 2024, Salford have the opportunity to avoid defeat in both encounters of a single league campaign against the visitors for only the second time, having previously done so in 2024-25, when they played out 2-2 and 0-0 stalmates.
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While Tranmere have enjoyed success at Moor Lane in the past, winning three of their five visits, their struggles on the road this season cast doubt on their chances of extending that dominance.
The Rovers sit rock bottom of the fourth-tier away table with just eight points from a possible 42, having lost each of their last seven trips.
Nigel Adkins's side have also struggled for goals on their travels, netting just nine while conceding a league-high 31, further compounding their struggles in a season where they have failed to find any real momentum.
Unlike the hosts, Tranmere's difficulties have stretched across the entire 2024-25 campaign, as they have endured multiple lengthy winless spells with only brief moments of respite, managing just six wins in 28 outings alongside six draws and 14 defeats.
That return leaves the Rovers 22nd with 26 points, only three clear of the relegation zone, and last weekend's 3-1 home loss against Colchester United was yet another blow in what has been a season to forget.
Team News
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Salford remain without long-term absentees James Chester, Dan Chesters, Kelly Nmai and Josh Austerfield, who are still recovering from injury.
Francis Okoronkwo has regained full fitness after a lengthy spell on the sidelines, making brief appearances in the last two matches, while Ben Woodburn faces the prospect of missing a sixth consecutive game.
Robinson may opt to stick with the side that battled back from three goals down to salvage a draw against Bromley in midweek, with league-leading scorer Stockton, who has nine goals, set to spearhead the attack.
Tranmere welcome back Declan Drysdale and Cameron Norman, both of whom missed the previous match after serving suspensions following their red cards in the defeat to Swindon Town two weeks ago.
Up front, Josh Davison has started the last three games, scoring just once in 20 appearances, and he will be eager to improve on that return as he likely leads the attack once again.
Salford City possible starting lineup:
Jones; Mnoga, Tilt, Negru; Taylor, Lund, Warrington, Berkoe; McAleny, Adelakun, Stockton
Tranmere Rovers possible starting lineup:
McGee; Wood, Turnbull, O'Conor, Norman; Khan; Finely; Solomon, Patrick, Khan, Jennings; Davison
We say: Salford City 3-1 Tranmere Rovers
Despite both sides struggling, Tranmere's troubles throughout the campaign, coupled with their dismal run on their travels, give Salford a strong chance to return to winning ways, making them our pick for victory.
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Adeyeye Oluwapelumi
