MX23RW : Thursday, November 21 18:03:35| >> :600:556771:556771:
[monks data]
Colchester United
League Two | Gameweek 7
Sep 9, 2023 at 3pm UK
JobServe Community Stadium
Tranmere Rovers

Colchester
2 - 0
Tranmere

Taylor (11'), Ihionvien (87')
Hall (15'), Tovide (45+1')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Hendry (27'), Davies (39'), Jennings (45'), Pike (47')

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

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

Both teams will be aiming to move away from League Two's relegation zone when Colchester United host Tranmere Rovers on Saturday.

The two sides have both only gained three points so far this season, although Colchester have played one game fewer than the majority of the division.


Match preview

Swindon Town coach Ben Garner reacts on January 7, 2022© Reuters

Indeed, Colchester had to wait an extra week to kickoff their season after their scheduled opening match against Swindon Town was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, but their season is yet to truly get going.

An impressive 3-0 win away to Gillingham aside, the U's have been beaten four times in the league, while they were defeated on penalties by Cardiff City in the opening round of the EFL Cup.

As such, only goal difference is keeping them ahead of Sutton United in the first relegation spot ahead of this weekend's action, with Ben Garner's side defeated 1-0 by Walsall in their last match.

In truth, there was relatively little to split the two sides, with Isaac Hutchinson's strike five minutes after the hour mark proving to be the difference. Garner, who steered Colchester away from relegation danger following his appointment in March, will sense an opportunity to bounce back at the Colchester Community Stadium this weekend.

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

After all, Tranmere are also on three points themselves, having fallen to a fifth defeat in six league games at home to Wrexham last time out.

Aaron Hayden's goal for the visitors four minutes prior to the hour mark gave them a deserved victory, with Phil Parkinson's side having 23 shots and 17 corners across the course of the encounter, although Tranmere did enjoy more possession of the ball.

Rovers boss Ian Dawes is facing significant pressure having only won three of his 18 games in charge since being appointed in March, with recent cup defeats to Leicester City and Fleetwood Town worsening his disappointing record.

Having finished progressively lower in League Two in their three seasons since being relegated from the third tier, there is a danger that Tranmere are sleeping towards falling out of the EFL altogether once again, making their trip to Essex a hugely important one on Saturday.

Colchester United League Two form:


Colchester United form (all competitions):


Tranmere Rovers League Two form:


Tranmere Rovers form (all competitions):



Team News

Connor Jennings celebrates after scoring the only goal in the League Two playoff final between Tranmere Rovers and Newport County on April 25, 2019© Reuters

Colchester are likely to restore Matt Jay to their starting lineup after surprisingly only using him from the bench against Walsall, with the attacking midfielder potentially replacing Alex Newby to drift inside from the left flank.

Northern Ireland international Cameron McGeehan has joined the club on a free transfer in recent days, but Saturday is likely to come soon for the midfielder to feature.

Tranmere, meanwhile, will travel without the suspended Dan Pike after he was sent off against Fleetwood in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday.

Youngsters Jake Leake and James Norris are likely to fight it out to come into the visitors' side at left-back, with Kristian Dennis and Connor Jennings set to continue in attack.


Colchester United possible starting lineup:
Goodman; Greenidge, Kelleher, Hall, Egbo; Fevrier, Read, Chilvers, Jay; Tovide, Taylor

Tranmere Rovers possible starting lineup:
McGee; Yarney, Davies, Turnbull, Leake; Morris, Merrie, Hendry; Dennis, Jennings, Hawkes


SM words green background

We say: Colchester United 1-1 Tranmere Rovers

Neither side has began the season very well, meaning that there is likely to be a lack of confidence on display when the two teams take to the field on Saturday.

Having both lost all bar one of their matches, there could be an element of aiming to avoid another defeat, so we can envisage a share of the spoils ensuing.



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 2.5 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 2.5:data


ID:523400:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect12886:

Previews by email

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


Game History

How you voted: Colchester vs Tranmere

Colchester United
60.0%
Draw
20.0%
Tranmere Rovers
20.0%
5
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Oxford United manager Karl Robinson pictured in October 2019
Read Next:
Karl Robinson hails "incredible" Oxford after reaching League One playoff final
>
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
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Port Vale1610332416833
2Crewe AlexandraCrewe158431913628
3Doncaster RoversDoncaster168442218428
4Walsall1483327151227
5MK Dons168352719827
6Notts County167632315827
7Grimsby Town168171925-625
8AFC Wimbledon1472523131023
9Bradford CityBradford166552117423
10Gillingham157261612423
11Chesterfield165742920922
12BarrowBarrow166461715222
13Fleetwood TownFleetwood145632015521
14Salford City165651518-321
15Newport CountyNewport166281926-720
16Accrington StanleyAccrington164662226-418
17Cheltenham TownCheltenham165382125-418
18Harrogate TownHarrogate165381422-818
19Tranmere RoversTranmere144551017-717
20Bromley153751719-216
21Colchester UnitedColchester152851822-414
22Swindon TownSwindon162771825-713
23Carlisle UnitedCarlisle1633101429-1512
24Morecambe1624101427-1310


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!