Tranmere Rovers welcome Newcastle United to Prenton Park in a tasty Second Round tie of 2022-23 Carabao Cup.
Victory would see Tranmere reach the Third Round of this competition for the first time since 2013-14 season, having not featured at this stage either in their last five appearances in this competition.
Newcastle meanwhile are looking to reach the Third Round stage for just the second time in six seasons.
Team News
Summer signing – Ben Hockenhull could be amongst a host of fringe players set to start for Tranmere as Micky Mellon considers rotating his squad.
Mateusz Hewelt, Rhys Hughes and Max Fisher could also feature after they plus Hockenhull were named as unused substitutes in Saturday’s League Two loss at Newport on Saturday.
Newcastle could hand several fringe players including; Martin Dubravka, Jamaal Lascelles, Elliot Anderson, and Matt Ritchie a start, after the quartet were named as unused substitutes in their 3-3 draw against Manchester City in Premier League on Sunday.
Matt Targett (hamstring), Federico Fernandez, Jamal Lewis (both calf) and Ryan Fraser (groin) are doubts
Dan Burn (concussion) and Callum Wilson (hamstring) are ruled out but could return for Sunday’s Premier League visit to Wolves.
Jonjo Shelvey remains absent with a hamstring injury.
Stat Attack
- Tranmere have lost their only previous League Cup tie against Newcastle – losing 1-0 at home in October 1998 in the Third Round of 1998-99 League Cup.
- Newcastle are unbeaten in three previous cup visits to Tranmere excluding penalty shootouts (W2, D1), although they lost 3-2 on penalties after 6-6 draw in October 1991 in 1991-92 Full Members’ Cup.
- Tranmere have lost each of their last five meetings against Newcastle in all competitions (L5).
- Tranmere have won just one of eight previous League Cup ties this century against Premier League opposition (W1, L7), defeating Leeds United 3-2 in Third Round of 2000-01 edition.
- Newcastle have lost three of their last six League Cup ties against EFL opposition (W2, D1, L3).
Prediction
Following an inconsistent start to the season, Tranmere will need a huge performance if they’re to stand any chance with a strong defensive effort looking key to their chances of winning this tie.
Newcastle meanwhile were excellent on the attack in their draw against Man City once they settled after a shaky start but were defensively caught out at times in their man-marking, which is an area where Tranmere must look to strike clinically.
If Tranmere do that then we could be in for a potential cupset but I just can’t see Newcastle losing this if they turn up and play like they did on Sunday amidst several squad changes.
Prediction: Tranmere 0-2 Newcastle
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