Promotion-chasing Tranmere Rovers look to maintain lengthy unbeaten run as they host Rochdale in League Two

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Tranmere Rovers have embarked on an impressive eight game unbeaten league run and will look to ensure standards do not slip as they host fellow North-West side Rochdale.

It has been over two months now since Micky Mellon’s men last tasted defeat in League Two, and it is a run that has seen them rise to second in the division having been stagnating in mid-table previously.

The defensive record has been nothing short of incredible this season with only 15 goals conceded in their games so far. Only Manchester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers have conceded fewer goals in England’s top four divisions – and they have played fewer games.

But it is in attack that Rovers have found some improvement in recent weeks. For all of the defensive plaudits, the attacking record is more akin to a side struggling at the foot of the table. However, seven goals in their last three games is a sign of improvement.

The goals have been shared out among seven different scorers which is another sign of the upturn in fortunes in the attacking third. What the Birkenhead-based club have lacked, however, is a reliable striker up front.

Kieron Morris is their top scorer with a paltry four goals but there may be something on the horizon.

Kane Hemmings arrived on a permanent deal on Thursday, signing from Burton Albion for an undisclosed fee. The forward’s output has dipped a bit this season but 20 goals across the last two seasons, most of which were in League One, bodes well.

Mellon will be hoping the 30-year-old can complement the hard work of Elliot Nevitt and the youthful energy of Charlie Jolley.

Hemmings trained on Thursday and could make his debut at Prenton Park on Saturday. A goal in his first outing would be a sure fire way to get his fans on side. The supporters will be hoping this is the kind of coup that could lead to automatic promotion in May.

Rochdale find themselves fighting at the other end of the table and have not actually played a game since 18 December due to a number of fixture postponements.

Robbie Stockdale’s side have an eight-point cushion above the relegation places having played fewer games, yet will still be keen to get a result on Saturday to get their season up and running again.

Four weeks is a substantial gap without any football and match sharpness will likely be lacking, however, the Dale should feel refreshed ahead of their short trip to Birkenhead.

For Tranmere, it appears to be the perfect opportunity to maintain their place in the automatic spots and take advantage of any other dropped points as four other members of the top six play each other.

It could be a moving day at the top end of League Two and Mellon will be hoping his team go in the right direction.

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