- Tranmere have won one of their last ten matches in all competitions (D2, L7).
- Shrewsbury have won three of their last ten in all competitions (D2, L5).
- Tranmere are winless in six straight home games (D1, L5), conceding 12 goals during that run.
Tight, cagey contest expected at Prenton Park
Tranmere Rovers' league season got off to a very disappointing start when they were beaten 1-0 away by Gillingham, although they did hold Salford City 1-1 on the road before winning on penalties in the EFL Cup.
They managed to tie Grimsby Town and Rochdale at home, and they suffered a 3-0 away defeat to the MK Dons.
The result of the last meeting of the sides was 1-0 to Shrewsbury at home, but the head-to-head is even with one win each in the last two meetings.
Super White Cows have a good recent record at Tranmere
Tranmere have won just one of their last 10 matches in all competitions (D2, L7), and look to have lost momentum.
Shrewsbury's record of three wins, two draws and five defeats in their last 10 in all competitions is slightly better and suggests that they will be competitive on Saturday.
The Shrews are also a more expansive side, with Gavin Cowan's men capable of pulling teams apart thanks to their mobile and skilful forwards and full-backs.
Darrell Clarke has set Tranmere up in a more pragmatic, direct and physical fashion with the aim of catching teams off guard on the break, as well as being strong from set pieces and wide areas.
Back the visitors’ value in tight game
The odds reflect the fact that Tranmere are the slight favourites for this game at 61/50, although the value does seem to lie with the visitors here at 21/10 with the draw priced at 47/20.
It will be a cagey, scrappy and tight contest with a set-piece or moment of magic in transition probably deciding the game in favour of one of the teams.
We'll back Shrewsbury, who know that they can hold off Tranmere in this type of game.
Both teams have looked a little rusty, but the Gasmen's home grit and directness gives them a slight edge over the expansive visitors.
Under 2.5 goals at 73/100 is fair enough for a game of this type, but we're taking the odds-on Both Teams To Score - No at 17/20 as Tranmere and Shrewsbury tend to cancel each other out.
Nathan Smith has been Tranmere's star performer in the last five matches, and his two goals have provided a clinical edge to Rovers' five-goal tally across their five matches so far.
