* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
7th plays 4th in the second of the first legs of the League Two playoffs on Thursday night as Tranmere host Morecambe. As we’ve seen in the first two Championship playoffs earlier this week, these first legs are often tight affairs and I’m expecting the same again here. However, there is a spanner thrown in the works as Tranmere took the surely-unprecedented step of sacking their manager between the end of the regular season and the start of the playoffs.
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Thursday 6pm: Tranmere Rovers v Morecambe
Sky Sports Football
Keith Hill got the boot after guiding Tranmere into the playoffs and reaching the Papa John’s Trophy final this season which certainly feels harsh from the outside. How this will affect things is obviously unknown, but with disharmony among the squad and poor overall form being the reasons cited for Hill’s dismissal, it might actually come as a boost for Rovers. But, all we can go on is the numbers in front of us and the overall trends, so let’s find your three best bets for Tranmere v Morecambe on Thursday night.
Short-price bet: Both Teams To Score? No
I think this is going to be an attritional affair and these two have history in that regard with both regular-season games finishing 1-0 and a win for each side. For Morecambe it’s been four games since both teams scored and the hosts have seen both teams fail to score in six of their last seven.
I mentioned that both games have ended 1-0 between these two and on both occasions it was the away side who emerged victorious. I think we’re on for something similar on Thursday and Both Teams To Score? No is your safest bet based on current form.
Value Play: Under 1.5 Goals
You’ve probably already worked out the remit for this Under 1.5 Goals play. Those two 1-0s through the season, coupled with Tranmere’s recent form, means there’s some good value to be had with this punt.
Only one of Tranmere’s last seven games have had Over 1.5 Goals. The Shrimps have been much more open and entertaining but with everything on the line in this game, and knowing how Derek Adams will approach this, I think it’s wise to back Under 1.5 Goals.
Long Shot: Morecambe to Win 1-0
With all that in mind I think Morecambe to Win 1-0 is the most likely outcome here and we’re getting some decent odds as well. Morecambe are, as the table tells us, the stronger side and they’re undoubtedly going to be much more settled and better prepared heading into this one.
They’ve already pulled off this result once this season and I think the visitors will be more than happy to head back up the road with a one-goal advantage in their back pocket. If you’re feeling really brave, add former Tranmere hitman Cole Stockton to Score First and Morecambe to win 1-0 to a Scorecast – he’s scored the first goal in three of their last six games. However, I’ll play it safer and put up the correct score as your long shot in this one.
Tips for Tranmere v Morecambe
Short-price Bet: Both Teams To Score? No
Value Play: Under 1.5 Goals
Long Shot: Morecambe to Win 1-0
* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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