After the postponement of their Boxing Day League Two clash against Accrington Stanley, Tranmere Rovers welcome Barrow to Prenton Park for their matchday 24 encounter.
Thursday's fixture was called off due to foggy weather over Merseyside, with the match scheduled for 3pm but cancelled about an hour before kickoff.
Match preview
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Tranmere's last league outing was a 3-1 away loss to Doncaster Rovers on gameweek 22, leaving them 19th in the standings with 21 points from 20 games, four points above the drop zone, though they have two games in hand over 23rd-placed Morecambe.
In that match, Tom Davies was sent off as Doncaster took control with goals from Joseph Olowu, Patrick Kelly, and substitute Kyle Hurst, before Sol Solomon pulled one back for Nigel Adkins's side with an 83rd-minute strike.
That defeat was a setback for Rovers, especially after they had ended a five-game winless run the week before with a 2-1 victory over Harrogate at Prenton Park.
Back on their ground this weekend and with fresh legs, Tranmere will aim to avoid another prolonged spell without a win, with their strong home record against Barrow – having won seven of the last eight meetings – offering encouragement.
Tranmere's underwhelming performance in the first half of the season has been largely due to their struggles in the final third, with the Super White Army managing just 15 goals so far – the joint-fewest in the division – and averaging less than a goal per game in their home matches.
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Meanwhile, Barrow, buoyed by their recent successes against the hosts, winning the last two meetings between the sides, will be looking to put an end to their disastrous run on the road, having failed to win any of their last 10 away games across all competitions, including eight in the league.
The Bluebirds, under former head coach Pete Wild, missed out on a playoff spot by just one point last term, failing to secure a win in any of their last seven games in the fourth tier, with their record on the road even worse, as they ended the campaign without victory in their final 10 trips.
The departure of Wild at the end of the season by mutual consent ushered in the arrival of current boss Stephen Clemence, and while Barrow have managed to break that winless streak in this campaign with back-to-back victories against Harrogate and Grimsby Town, they have not tasted an away triumph in the competition in over three months.
Their two wins, two draws, and seven defeats in 11 away matches have left them with the second-worst away record in the division, ahead of only Sunday's opponents.
The Bluebirds head into the weekend encounter on the back of a humbling 3-0 defeat to Salford on Boxing Day, leaving them in 17th place with 26 points from 21 matches, eight points adrift of the playoff spots.
While a win could revive hopes of surpassing last season's position, their meagre five goals on the road – the lowest away tally in the league – offers little cause for optimism.
Team News
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Tranmere will be without Davies for the match, as he serves a suspension following his red card against Doncaster.
With the 32-year-old defender sidelined, Declan Drysdale will likely step into the starting lineup, partnering Lee O'Connor, Jordan Turnbull and 28-year-old Connor Wood in the back four, while Luke McGee will continue in goal.
In terms of injuries, Tranmere are still missing midfielders Brad Walker, Regan Hendry and Saidou Khan, who remain unavailable, while 31-year-old forward Luke Norris will miss his seventh consecutive game.
Barrow's Sam Foley, back from a muscle injury sustained in early November, returned to the starting lineup in their last outing and is expected to retain his place this weekend.
Emile Acquah, who has started Barrow's last three league matches, will aim to add to his three goals this season as he looks to continue his impact in attack.
Tranmere Rovers possible starting lineup:
McGee; O'Connor, Drysdale, Turnbull, Wood; Finley, Merrie; Dennis, Jennings, Patrick; Saunders
Barrow possible starting lineup:
Farman; Feely, Vassell, Stokes, Jackson; Foley, Gotts; Spence, Mahoney, Newby; Acquah
We say: Tranmere Rovers 1-1 Barrow
Both sides have struggled this season, with their inefficiency in the final third hindering the prospect of a high-scoring encounter.
Although the hosts have enjoyed more success in this fixture recently, their home record of just three wins from 10 games offers little assurance of securing all three points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adeyeye Oluwapelumi
