Tranmere v Morecambe predictions: Shrimps could prove tough to break down

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Tranmere Rovers v Morecambe in the League Two playoff semi-final first leg.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Football, 6pm Thursday

Best bet

Draw
1pt 23-10 bet365

Team news

Tranmere
Scott Davies (achilles) is a long-term absentee but James Vaughan (knee) could start.

Morecambe
Kelvin Mellor completes a suspension while John O'Sullivan (hamstring) and Jordan Slew (broken leg) miss out.

Match preview

Tranmere squeezed into the League Two playoffs despite winning just two of their final 11 games and might have to settle for a draw from their semi-final first-leg clash with Morecambe at Prenton Park.

Finishing seventh was a touch disappointing for Tranmere, who were fancied to bounce back from League One relegation at the first attempt, but fourth place was beyond the wildest dreams of Morecambe, who have grown accustomed to fighting relegation battles.

There was a slight feeling of regret after the Shrimps finished one point outside the top three but Derek Adams' side have a second chance of glory and could be tough to stop.

Morecambe have established an identity as a well-organised, counter-attacking side who are happy to concede possession and territory as long as they look after the key moments.

Carlos Mendes Gomes and Cole Stockton have provided the main goalscoring contributions with 15 and 13 apiece, and the Shrimps continued to pick up results despite the January departure of Burnley loanee Adam Phillips and the more recent loss of winger John Sullivan to a hamstring injury.

Adams' squad doesn't rely too heavily on individuals, but the same cannot be said of Keith Hill's Tranmere, who lost 18-goal top scorer James Vaughan to a knee injury for most of the run-in.

Vaughan came off the bench for a 0-0 draw at home to Colchester on the final day of the regular season but hasn't scored since February and needs to get back to somewhere near his best if Tranmere's faltering promotion push is to be revived.

Rovers have drawn seven of their last 13 games – scoring just nine goals – and another stalemate looks a strong possibility.

Key stat

Tranmere have drawn four of their last five home matches.

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