What Can We Expect From Tranmere's Opening League Two Match?

Excitement is building as the SWA's opening match against Notts County is just around the corner, with hopes that this could be Rovers' promotion season. But if Tranmere are to reach League 1 by the 2025/26 season, then Nigel Adkins' side will have to be on top of their game. Games like this will have to be won. So let's have a look into this fixture, and the chances of the SWA taking all 3 points.

Both teams 2023/24 campaign

First, we can take a look at how each side performed last season. The Magpies did slightly better, with 4 more points and 2 places above Rovers in the league table. The most interesting part of their 23/24 campaigns, however, is each teams goal difference.

Notts County's & Tranmere Rovers' goal difference:

Notts County - GF:86, GA: 83, GD:3

Tranmere Rovers - GF:67, GA: 70, GD: -3

(Stats: Google)

This might say something about how each team plays. We could assume from their goal difference that Notts County are an aggressive side, and that they play an attacking focused style of football. However, due to them playing like this they might leave their defence open and vulnerable to counter-attacks.

Tranmere seem, based on these numbers alone, similar. Though they appear to not be quite as attacking focused.

But going off of one statistic alone can often prove unreliable, so lets look at some other stats.

Other team stats:

Goals per match:

Notts County - 1.9 (3rd)

Tranmere Rovers - 1.5 (11th)

Goals conceded per match:

Notts County - 1.9 (24th)

Tranmere Rovers - 1.5 (13th)

Average possession:

Notts County - 64.8% (1st)

Tranmere Rovers - 46.7% (18th)

Clean sheets:

Notts County - 8 (16th)

Tranmere Rovers - 8 (16th)

(Stats: FotMob)

These stats further enforce the idea that The Magpies play very aggressive football (as they had the 3rd most goals per match), and that they often are left exposed at the back (as they had the most goals concede per match). This also reveals to us that they might be strong on the ball, as they had the most average possession.

Can Rovers take all 3 points?

This will no doubt be a difficult match for Adkins' side, but there is a good chance the SWA will have something to celebrate by the full-time whistle! We have to be careful of Notts County's heavy press, which could prove fatal if we're not on the top of our game. However, if Rovers take advantage of The Magpies' high press then we could have a goal on our hands.

Of course, we will have to see what happens on the day to be sure of what the match will be like, but this might shape an idea of how things may play out.