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League Two | Gameweek 1
Aug 5, 2023 at 3pm UK
Prenton Park
B

Tranmere
1 - 2
Barrow

Hawkes (63' pen.)
O'Connor (35'), Hendry (90+6')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Canavan (19'), Spence (70')
Campbell (37'), Ray (51')

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

:Headline: Preview: Tranmere Rovers vs. Barrow - prediction, team news, lineups:
Sports Mole previews Saturday's League Two clash between Tranmere Rovers and Barrow, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Sports Mole

Tranmere Rovers take on Barrow at Prenton Park in their opening game of the League Two season on Saturday afternoon.

The hosts will be looking to get underway with a win under Ian Dawes, who was offered the manager's job permanently in the summer after a caretaker spell, while the visitors' aim will be to build on their solid 2022-23 campaign under Pete Wild.


Match preview

Tranmere remained in contention for a playoff place for vast swathes of the 2022-23 season, but they were never consistent enough to mount a real push for the top seven, with Micky Mellon ultimately being sacked near the end of March.

Dawes was then placed in charge of the Rovers on an interim basis, but he was also unable to get a tune out of the squad, winning two, drawing four and losing three of his nine games in charge.

Although the 39-year-old did not instigate much of an improvement in his caretaker role, chairman Mark Palios appointed him on a full-time basis in the summer, being supported by new Technical Director Nigel Adkins, and he has started to reshape his squad.

With Ethan Bristow joining Minnesota United for an undisclosed fee, Tranmere have strengthened at left-back, signing Jake Leake on loan from Hull City, while they have also made additions in attack, bringing in club-legend Connor Jennings, as well as Kristian Dennis.

The Rovers have not had the best pre-seasons, losing against Rochdale and Southport, but they have also managed to record victories over Fleetwood Town and Blackpool.

Barrow, on the other hand, have performed very well in their pre-season matches, winning five out of their seven games, most recently defeating Newcastle United Under-21s 4-1 at home.

The Bluebirds took significant strides in Wild's first season in charge last term, finishing in ninth place, having only just managed to avoid relegation in the previous season, but they did not have a very strong end to the campaign.

Wild's side collected just 10 points from their final 10 league games, meaning they ultimately finished 13 points off the top seven, and they have a lot of work to do if they are to mount a playoff push next season.

Barrow will be disappointed to have lost Josh Gordon and Patrick Brough in the summer, with both players moving to League One clubs, but they have managed to strengthen their squad in some areas, signing Port Vale striker Jamie Proctor and Aberdeen midfielder Dean Campbell.

Tranmere Rovers pre-season form:
  • D
  • L
  • W
  • L
  • D

Barrow pre-season form:
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • D
  • W


Team News

Tranmere have strengthened their attack considerably this summer, signing Luke Norris and Dennis, although both of them have missed the vast majority of pre-season through injury.

As such, Harvey Saunders and Jennings could get the nod in attack this weekend, with the former scoring in the Rovers' 1-1 draw against Wigan Athletic at Prenton Park last weekend.

As for Barrow, Wild may have a selection dilemma in attack, as Proctor scored in the 4-1 victory against Newcastle U21s, with Emile Acquah also looking sharp, but he may be tempted to hand new-signing Courtney Duffus his first competitive start.

A couple of players are in line for appearances against their former club, with George Ray, the Bluebirds captain, poised to start at centre-back, while Sam Foley should get the nod in central midfield.


Tranmere Rovers possible starting lineup:
McGee; O'Connor, Davies, Yarney, Leake; Hawkes, Lewis, McAlear, Morris; Saunders, Jennings

Barrow possible starting lineup:
Lillis; Warren, Tiensia, Ray, Feely; Foley, Campbell, Worrall, Bray; Proctor, Acquah


We say: Tranmere Rovers 1-1 Barrow

Based on last season's league standings, the two sides should be fairly evenly-matched, so we are expecting a draw this weekend.

Tranmere should be good enough to pick up at least a draw on home soil, especially considering Norris and Dennis could get some minutes after returning from injury, and they are more likely to take all three points.



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


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Read more about Ian Dawes Pete Wild Micky Mellon Mark Palios Nigel Adkins Ethan Bristow Jake Leake Connor Jennings Josh Gordon Kristian Dennis Patrick Brough Dean Campbell Luke Norris Harvey Saunders Jamie Proctor Courtney Duffus Sam Foley George Ray Emile Acquah Football
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Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Port Vale159332316730
2Walsall1483327151227
3Notts County1576223131027
4Doncaster RoversDoncaster158342117427
5Crewe AlexandraCrewe147431713425
6MK Dons157352417724
7Grimsby Town158071925-624
8Gillingham157261612423
9Chesterfield1557328181022
10Bradford CityBradford156452016422
11BarrowBarrow156451612422
12Fleetwood TownFleetwood145632015521
13Salford City155551417-320
14AFC Wimbledon126151810819
15Newport CountyNewport156181926-719
16Cheltenham TownCheltenham155371922-318
17Tranmere RoversTranmere144551017-717
18Accrington StanleyAccrington144461822-416
19Bromley143651618-215
20Harrogate TownHarrogate154381221-915
21Colchester UnitedColchester142751721-413
22Swindon TownSwindon152671623-712
23Carlisle UnitedCarlisle1532101328-1511
24Morecambe152491426-1210
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