In this article…
Cheltenham v Tranmere
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Kick Off: Friday 22nd November at 19:45
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Competition: League Two
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Watch Live: Sky Sports+
The Robins play host this Friday night as 17th-place Tranmere Rovers make the journey to the EV Charger Points Stadium in what should be a heated League Two clash.
⭐ Cheltenham v Tranmere Best Bet
It’s 11 matches since Cheltenham last blanked and eight of those games have been League Two fixtures. Their league fixtures this season average 2.88 goals per game with 9/16 matches ending in over 2.5 goals and 12/16 have seen both teams score.
Tranmere’s attacking numbers aren’t as eye-catching with 6/14 matches having over 2.5 goals and both teams scoring in 6/14 matches.
Despite Tranmere’s low attacking output there is enough concern about Cheltenham’s defensive numbers to think that they can at least get on the scoresheet. Only Newport, Accrington, Morecambe and Carlisle have conceded more goals than Cheltenham who also have the 6th highest xGA in the division – Tranmere have the 7th highest.
👕 Cheltenham v Tranmere Predicted XI
🔍 Cheltenham v Tranmere Players to Watch
🔴 Jordan Thomas
Cheltenham’s midfield are incredibly shot-happy and take no hesitation in shooting from range. Ethan Archer has taken 12 shots this season (6 from outside the box). Joel Colwill has taken 22 shots this season (9 from outside the box). Jordan Thomas has taken 17 shots this season (12 from outside the box). And Luke Young has taken 21 shots this season – all but one from outside the box, and he’s scored three times, all from 25 yards+ from goal.
Archer’s shots are at an average of 1 every 109 minutes. Colwill’s at an average of 1 every 49.54 minutes. Thomas’ at an average of 35.11 minutes and Young’s at an average of 66.43 minutes.
It shouldn’t surprise anybody if one of the quartet scores from range against Tranmere and looking for any shot markets is encouraged. At the prices, Jordan Thomas appeals as a goalscorer selection.
⚪ Omari Patrick
Omari Patrick is the likely beneficiary if Cheltenham are overzealous on their right-hand side. Lewis Payne likes to bomb forward and gaps in behind him can be exploited.
Patrick has already scored 4 goals this season from an xG of 1.8. His shot numbers in League Two this season read 0-1-1-2-3-3-3-3-1-2-2-1-2-2. That’s 26 shots at an average of 1 in every 44 minutes of football.
📂 Cheltenham v Tranmere Cheat Sheet
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💻 Cheltenham v Tranmere Form and Tactics
MK Dons came from two down to beat Cheltenham 3-2 last Saturday. The result was Cheltenham’s first defeat in eight matches. The early season struggle looks to be behind Cheltenham who have increased their performance levels since mid-October. Even against MK Dons, Cheltenham were the better team for large periods of the game and can consider themselves unfortunate to have left Stadium: MK pointless. Despite the defeat, Cheltenham place 5th in the five-game form table with 8 points from their last available 15.
The improved form has coincided with manager Michael Flynn becoming more tactically adaptable. After starting the season with a stodgy-looking 5-3-2 formation, Flynn has found a way of getting a more vibrant, entertaining, threatening look from his team. This comes in the way of playing all of Ethan Archer, Jordan Thomas and Cardiff loanee Joel Colwill. The setup is more often a 4-2-3-1 now with this trio playing in behind George Miller in attack. They do have different options though – last weekend against MK Dons, Jordan Thomas was utilised as a left wing-back as opposed to an inverted right-winger as Flynn prioritised matching up MK Dons’ wing-back system.
Cheltenham will likely revert back to 4-2-3-1 for the visit of Tranmere. The system sees Lewis Payne rampaging forward from right back to provide width, allowing Jordan Thomas to invert and become a second #10 alongside Joel Colwill. Ethan Archer starts from the left but has the licence to roam. Tom Bradbury plays narrow at left back meaning the system essentially looks like a 3-2-5 in-possession.
Tranmere are 14th in the five-game form table and 19th overall. They come into Friday night’s fixture after back-to-back wins for the first time this season, at home to Newport in the league and then away at Stockport in the EFL Trophy.
Tranmere are much more rotational than Cheltenham and play a different system match by match with Nigel Adkins being reactionary to what system the opposition plays, often setting up like for like.
Contrary to Adkins’ tendencies for change, keeping with the 4-4-2 setup that was deployed in the victory over Newport could be the way to go here. It would see Luke Norris and Connor Jennings upfront, occupying Cheltenham’s narrow defence and allowing Omari Patrick the chance to be isolated against Lewis Payne on Tranmere’s left. Payne is much better suited to the attacking aspects of his role than he is 1 v 1 defending.
The setup would also allow for the midfield pair of Sam Finley and Regan Hendry to prioritise protection against Cheltenham’s threats from deep.
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🏁 Cheltenham v Tranmere Ref Watch
- Referee: Ruebyn Ricardo
- In his 3rd season referreeing at EFL level
- Averages 5.72 yellow cards per game this season
- Has produced 1 straight red card in 18 matches officiated this season
- Has given three penalties in 18 matches refereed this season
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* I recommend waiting for confirmed team line-ups before placing any bets.
* All odds displayed correct at the time of publishing.
Written by an Andy verified content writer
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