English League One
2012-09-08 - Crewe vs Tranmere Rovers
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English League One
Saturday 8 September 2012 - Kick Off 3pm
Crewe
After earning promotion from League Two last season, this was seen as a consolidation season for Crewe who lost their star player, Nick Powell, over the Summer. The team did look good enough for League One and have made a decent, if not spectacular start to life in this Division.
The side are currently 10th in the table having picked up 6 points from their opening four games, winning 2 of those games and losing 2. They have also been knocked out of the Capital One Cup at West Ham United in the Second Round. Crewe have a 1-0-1 home record in the League and have also recorded a 5-0 win over Hartlepool in the Capital One Cup at Gresty Road.
Crewe have lost just 1 of their last 16 home games in all competitions, that coming to Notts County in the opening day of this new season. They have won 11 of their last 16 games here and beat Coventry City 1-0 in their last home game last weekend.
Max Clayton is playing with the England Under 19 team, but is expected to start in this one. Chuks Aneke is in line to make his debut having signed on loan from Arsenal.
Tranmere Rovers
The expectations at Tranmere Rovers were hard to judge at the start of the season, but their form early in this campaign may have a few fans beginning to wonder about the possibilities. It's still too early to go overboard, but a fast start will always get the fans excited about the coming season.
While Liverpool and Everton are the big teams on Merseyside, Tranmere Rovers are quietly going about their business as they bid to return to the second tier of English football. They currently top the League One table having earned 10 points from their four League games, although the two points they dropped came away from home where they are 1-1-0.
Tranmere have lost their last two away games in all competitions, both coming in Cup competitions and they have failed to win any of their last 3 away games since the 0-3 win at Carlisle United. Rovers have a 3-2-3 away record from their last 8 away games in League One, but had previously failed to win in 11 away games, losing 9 of those.
James Wallace and Andy Robinson will return to the side this weekend after being rested for the Johnstones Paint Trophy loss during the week.
Head to Head
This will be the first meeting between the sides in 4 seasons when Crewe recorded a 2-1 home win over Tranmere Rovers in a League One game.
Crewe are unbeaten in their last 5 home games against Tranmere, winning 4 of those.
Prediction
This is a tough game to pick a winner from as Crewe have been solid in their early games at this level, while Tranmere Rovers have made a fast start but have struggled away from home before their start to this season and their last few games last season.
However, I do think we are going to see at least 3 goals scored in this game- Crewe have scored in each of their home games so far this season, while Tranmere have shown some capabilities going forward. Rovers have also scored in each of their last four away games in League One going back to last season too.
Both sides are likely going to believe they can win this game and so both should be attacking looking for the goals to do so. I am expecting both to score at least one goal and then someone finding a winner, although I wouldn't be able to pick a side to do so.
The Pick :
Crewe 2-2 Tranmere Rovers
