Back Tranmere to shine in FA Trophy hunt

FA Trophy
Kick-offs 3pm Saturday

Tranmere are the biggest club taking part in the FA Trophy this season and look solid odds-on favourites to post a victory away to National League rivals Solihull Moors in the first round.

Promotion is Tranmere's top priority this season but there is the incentive of a potential trip to Wembley and Rovers' manager Micky Mellon has confirmed he will pick his strongest side.

The season has been a slow-burner for Rovers, who had a sticky start and were still in the bottom half until late November.

However, successive league wins at home to Maidstone (4-0) and Torquay (3-0) have lifted them to ninth, only four points outside the six playoff positions.

While Tranmere are eyeing up promotion, basement boys Solihull are eight points adrift of safety.

A cup run could be a nice distraction for them but they are without suspended midfielder Darren Carter (formerly of West Brom) and appear to be running into Tranmere at the wrong time.

York have not been finding life as easy as they might have expected in National League North but they are on a decent run with three wins in their last five and look overpriced to win their tie at divisional rivals Kidderminster.

Just two points separate seventh-placed Kiddy from tenth-placed York in the league and the Minstermen look a little overpriced.

Eastleigh have gone six games without a win in the National League but their FA Trophy clash at Ebbsfleet gives them a chance to bounce back.

Recent results favour Ebbsfleet, who have climbed to tenth with home wins over Hartlepool (3-0) and Guiseley (4-0).

But the Fleet drew 2-2 at home to Eastleigh in September and look too short at odds-on.

Take a chance on the visitors, who will be feeling a little more confident after grabbing a late equaliser in last Saturday's 4-4 draw at home to Bromley.

Recommendations
Tranmere
1pt 10-11 Hills
York
1pt 13-5 bet365, Sky Bet
Eastleigh
1pt 15-4 Sky Bet

National League standings

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