Tranmere Rovers return to action as Mick Flynn’s Walsall travel to Prenton Park with Rovers looking to put their bad fortunes behind them. Walsall on the other hand, will look to continue their good form as the play-off race intensifies. 

Tranmere Rovers have had a far from ideal start to 2023, losing their opening game to Crewe Alexandra on New Years Day before drawing at Prenton Park against Sutton United.

On New Years Day, Rovers were beaten 1-0 by Crewe, with the Super White Army arguably being the most assertive side throughout the 90 minutes. Tranmere laid siege on Alexandra's net straight from the off, with Arsenal loanee Arthur Okonkwo having to be at his best to keep the hosts in the game.

Kane Hemmings and Elliott Nevitt wasted criminal opportunities early on before Charlie Colkett's wonder-strike punished Tranmere. Rovers probed in the second half but couldn't find the finishing touch.

Against Sutton, Tranmere, with one of the best defences in League Two, fell behind after just ten minutes as Alistair Smith ghosted into the box to slot past Ross Doohan. Tranmere responded with a great finish by Josh Hawkes and a second from top-scorer Kane Hemmings that put Rovers in front before Smith levelled proceedings and both sides shared the spoils.

Rovers face an in-form Walsall in their next outing and despite Tranmere being two points behind the Midlands outfit, the Saddlers are the form side in League Two, winning four of their last five outings. 

Walsall sit just two points off Salford City in the final play-off spot. The Saddlers have settled in League Two and consolidated themselves as a stable side since relegation from League One in 2019. Their finishes have been 12th, 19th and 16th, they currently sit in mid-table but are only a win away from the play-off spots.

Walsall have had the better of the head-to-head in recent years, but the most recent meeting was a dramatic 1-0 win for Tranmere, with Elliott Nevitt netting with the last kick of the game. Tranmere will be hoping for more of the same but the visiting Saddlers will be looking for revenge and to move closer to the play-off places.

  • Team news

Tranmere 

With the departure of Ross Doohan and Elliott Nevitt in recent weeks, it could see plenty of players receive game time. 

Since Doohan’s departure to Forest Green, it may give Micky Mellon an option to put Polish keeper Mateus Hewelt into the fray. The Pol has been used in the cup games for Tranmere, with his cameo appearance coming in the League Cup vs Newcastle United and could be given a chance as the number one Doohan has been pushed out the door. 

With Nevitt’s departure, this could see the front line remain the same from the Sutton game as Mumbongo and Hemmings, or could give young lad Jake Burton a chance to flourish. 

New signing Brad Walker, who arrives from Port Vale, could be introduced straight away as the midfield faces competition since Walker’s arrival. 

Walsall

The Saddlers will be without Jack Earing, who has suffered a long-term injury which sees him out until the foreseeable future. 

Ex Tranmere defender Manny Monthe, Donervorn Daniels and striker Danny Johnson could all be handed  appearances against their old club.

The Saddlers form has been exquisite of late, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if the same starting line-up remains. 

  • Likely lineups

Tranmere: Hewelt; Dacres-Cogley, Davies, Turnbull, Bristow; Morris, O’Connor, Merrie, Hawkes; Mumbongo, Hemmings. 

Walsall: Evans; Monthe, Daniels, White; Gordon, Hutchinson, Kinsella, Knowles, Comley; Johnson, James-Taylor.

  • Key players 

Kane Hemmings

Tranmere’s top scorer and danger man, Rovers need Hemmings on form to have a chance of netting. 

Hemmings has scored in three of Rovers’ last four outings, scoring a key winner in the victory over Barrow. The former Burton Albion man has netted seven times in the league and despite a low goal tally, is a threat in the Tranmere box. So for Tranmere to have a chance of netting and winning, Hemmings will have to be on fine form. 

Danny Johnson

With Tranmere’s defence being one of the best in League Two, they will have a tough job on their hands with the Saddlers’ and former Rovers, Danny Johnson. 

Johnson is Walsall’s top scorer and the fourth best in League Two, netting 11 times in 21 games and has helped the Saddlers to progress to the FA Cup fourth round, netting the first in their 2-1 win over Stockport County.

  • Match Details

Where is the game being played?

The game will take place at Prenton Park, Birkenhead.

What time is kick-off?

Kick-off is at 15:00 GMT on Saturday January, 14.

How can I watch?

The game is not on live TV in the United Kingdom.

You can purchase a match pass on Tranmere Rovers’ iFollow, or listen to the game, paying as little as £1 to listen to tommorow’s game if you can’t make it  

Highlights will be available on the Tranmere Rovers and Walsall’s YouTube channel after the game.

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