Tranmere v Stevenage: Rovers to crawl over the line

24Mar 2013

Betfair

With the Premier League getting a weekend off, League One gets a rare piece of the limelight on Sunday. Christian Crowther previews the big clash...

Tranmere v Stevenage, Sunday 16:00, Sky Sports 1, Match Odds: Tranmere 2.06, Stevenage 4.2, The Draw 3.45

This game might be a far cry from the Clasico but, in terms of League One's fascinating promotion chase, it's massive and well worthy of some Sunday afternoon air time.

While the third tier is not normally noted for its glamour, in terms of excitement for the run-in, there is not a division to compare it to.

Only nine points separate Doncaster at the top from Leyton Orient in tenth, while Tranmere start this game in the final play-off place, just six points shy of

Donny's 69-point total.

After spending much of the season as top dogs, Tranmere went skidding off the tracks around the 30-game mark and now Ronnie Moore's side are clinging to their promotion dreams.

Rovers have won just two league games in their last ten, turning out seven defeats, including losing their last two prior to this televised clash.

Their only solace ahead of Stevenage's visit is that their 15th-placed opponents are actually in even worse form, losing nine of their last 11 League One games ahead of this trip to Prenton Park to trigger Gary Smith's sacking.

Furthermore, the Hertfordshire side have been abysmal on the road since the turn of the year, losing six straight away from home.

The sides drew 1-1 back in November but, with home advantage and the prize of promotion still very much on offer, Tranmere are rightly favourites to bag the points.

Under/Over 2.5 goals

When two teams bring such miserable form to the table, there's a good chance that scoring goals has become a serious issue.

This is certainly the case here. Tranmere have failed to register in three of their last four outings, whereas Stevenage have mustered just one successful strike from their last five away assignments. This game will have to buck the trend some to get over the 2.5 line.

Best Bet: Back Under 2.5 goals @ 1.74

Other Recommended Bet: Back Tranmere to win @ 2.06