Tranmere Rovers play host to Oldham Athletic knowing that they will progress through to the EFL Trophy knockout stages as winners of Group B if they can avoid defeat on Tuesday night.
While the home side have already secured their spot in the next round, Oldham need to avoid defeat to ensure that they stay in the competition.
Match preview
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Tranmere have endured a topsy-turvy few months, putting together a negative set of results either side of a six-match undefeated streak.
Micky Mellon's side find themselves in 11th position, albeit with the best defensive record in the division, but they have failed to win any of their last three league games.
On the plus side, Rovers progressed in the FA Cup first round at the weekend, Callum McManaman netting the only goal of the game during a victory at Crawley Town.
Tranmere are now unbeaten in three cup games this season, their two triumphs in the EFL Trophy coming against Leeds United Under-23s and Salford City.
Although prevailing in that double-header has already booked their spot in the last 32, Mellon will want to progress with a 100% record.
From Oldham's perspective, this competition is low on their list of priorities as they look to ensure that they do not drop out of the EFL.
Nevertheless, Keith Curle will be eager to build on Saturday's excellent 1-1 draw at Ipswich Town in the FA Cup, the Latics holding on in the second half at Portman Road to earn a second opportunity at Boundary Park.
Oldham have now lost just two of their last six fixtures in all competitions, a sign that there is potential for this team to improve on their 22nd spot in League Two.
These two teams squared off in the EFL Cup first round earlier in the campaign with Oldham fighting back from a two-goal deficit to move through on penalties.
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Team News
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Tranmere boss Mellon may decide to make minimal changes with a place in the last 32 still at stake.
Emmanuel Diesuruvwe, Sam Foley and Tom Davies could all be restored to the starting lineup after missing out at the weekend.
Mark Duffy is also an option on the right flank, potentially taking the spot of McManaman.
Curle will likely make alterations to an Oldham side which may be fatigued after their efforts at Ipswich.
Harry Vaughan could come into the midfield, while Raphael Diarra and Isaac Modi are options in defence and attack respectively.
Tranmere Rovers possible starting lineup:
Doohan; Dacres-Cogley, Davies, Clarke, MacDonald; Foley, O'Connor; Duffy, Watson, Feeney; Diesuruvwe
Oldham Athletic possible starting lineup:
Leutwiler; Clarke, Diarra, McGahey; Fage, Bowden, Vaughan, Couto; Keillor-Dunn; Hope, Modi
We say: Tranmere Rovers 2-0 Oldham Athletic
Having remained competitive in a tough group, Oldham will want to get over the line and reach the next stage. However, we cannot see them defeating Rovers on away territory, leading us to predict a relatively comfortable win for the home team.
Top tip
Darren Plant
Data Analysis
Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Tranmere Rovers win with a probability of 49.7%. A win for Oldham Athletic had a probability of 25.64% and a draw had a probability of 24.7%.
The most likely scoreline for a Tranmere Rovers win was 1-0 with a probability of 10.67%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-1 (9.53%) and 2-0 (8.69%). The likeliest Oldham Athletic win was 0-1 (7.2%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (11.71%). The actual scoreline of 3-2 was predicted with a 2.8% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted that Tranmere Rovers would win this match.
