Tranmere - Wrexham, English League One
2004-09-18 14.00 CET
Pick: Tranmere
Stake: 3%
Odds: 1,80 (Note: Displayed as AH -0,5 at Bet365)
Final reasons
Promotion hopefuls Tranmere has started their home campaign as many thought – four victories from four games. They have an almost fully fit squad and in recent matches they have been quite strong. Wrexham has also started well despite some injury concerns. Also on Saturday they have some players doubtful and we believe that they will find it hard to compete against such a good home side as Tranmere. Therefore we suggest a medium bet on Tranmere, 3%
General comment about the game
Promotion hopefuls Tranmere plays their second home match in a row this week. This time it is local rivals Wrexham that will visit at Prenton Park. We suggested a bet also in mid week when they beat Oldham with 2-0. That game was played under pretty hard conditions because of the weather and that was apparent during spells when both team struggled with their passing. The hosts were below par in a first half dominated by the midfields. In second half Tranmere improved their play and when for the day brilliant striker Ian Hume (5(2) apps, 2 goals) scored the opener it was clear that it would be Tranmere’s day. Even if the visitors were merely better the first hour the victory was quite fair for the hosts. The match extended Tranmere’s perfect home record this season with four straight victories in the league and it made them also climb up to third place. Manager Brain Little must also have been pleased that club captain Jason McAteer (4(1) apps) were able to make his return from injury when he came on as a substitute midway through the second half. It is likely he will start on Saturday. Tranmere has only one injury doubt for the game and that is young striker Calvin Zola (5(3) apps, 1 goal) that had to limp off injured in first half during the midweek game. However, he was then replaced by Ivory Coast International Eugene Dadi (3(4) apps, 2 goals) who scored the second goal. It looked as his partnership with Hume worked well so if Zola will not make it Tranmere still has good options up front.
Wrexham has started the new season fairly good. They currently reside in seventh place after four victories, one draw and only two defeats. As for many teams in this division they have taken most of their points when playing at home. On the road they have two straight losses against mid table teams Brentford and Bournemouth. To this season Wrexham has made some changes in their squad. Midfielders Steve Thomas and Paul Edwards have left the club. Most noticeable new signings are defenders Alex Smith (4 apps) from Chester and Andy Holt (7 apps, 1 goal) from Hull together with midfielders Dean Bennett (4(1) apps) from Kidderminster and Danny Williams (7 apps) from Bristol Rovers. In their latest game they played at home against Bradford. An early goal from last years best player defender Dennis Lawrence was enough to win the game. Manager Denis Smith was happy about the three points but insisted that he was not satisfied with their performance in all areas. On Saturday he will have some injury concerns since defenders Brian Carey (6 apps) and Alex Smith (4 apps) and midfielder Matty Crowell (1(1) apps) are doubtful. Also midfielders Jim Whitley (3(1) apps) and Steve Roberts (7 apps, 1 goal) together with goalkeeper Andy Dibble (7 apps) has been on the sidelines recently but they seem to be available for contention on Saturday.
Recent games for home team
|
2004-09-14 |
Tranmere-Oldham |
2-0 |
|
2004-09-11 |
Barnsley-Tranmere |
0-0 |
|
2004-08-30 |
Stockport-Tranmere |
1-1 |
|
2004-08-27 |
Tranmere-Sheffield W |
4-2 |
|
2004-08-21 |
Doncaster-Tranmere |
0-0 |
Recent games for away team
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2004-09-11 |
Wrexham-Bradford |
1-0 |
|
2004-08-30 |
Wrexham-Barnsley |
2-1 |
|
2004-08-28 |
Bournemouth-Wrexham |
1-0 |
|
2004-08-21 |
Wrexham-Port Vale |
1-1 |
|
2004-08-14 |
Brentford-Wrexham |
1-0 |
Home table
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Tranmere |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
9-3 |
12 |
Away table
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Wrexham |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
3-4 |
3 |
Links for this game
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// SportsObserver 040917
