The League Cup Preliminary Rounds get underway this weekend, and we're bringing you our predictions for Saturday's 3pm kick-off at Prenton Park between Tranmere Rovers and Rochdale.
Tranmere narrowly escaped relegation from League Two last season and have added some fresh faces to their squad for the 2026/27 campaign, most notably veteran winger Tom Ince from Watford. Rochdale join Rovers in League Two this season having earned promotion from the National League, and have managed to keep hold of most of their key players as well as adding some talent from League One, including Sam Sherring and Laurence Maguire from MK Dons.
We're backing both teams to score in this game, as they secured a 2-0 victory over Blackpool in pre-season, in which their top scorer from last season, Charlie Whitaker, got on the scoresheet. Rochdale haven't managed to win any of their friendlies this summer but have scored plenty of goals, netting twice against Halifax and Farnham, and putting three past Al-Rayyan. However, the Dale have conceded at least two goals in each of their four matches heading into this weekend's trip to Prenton Park.
One player that has continued their good form from last season for Rochdale this summer is 31-year-old striker Emmanuel Dieseruvwe. The former Tranmere frontman enjoyed his best campaign in front of goal last time out in his debut season with Rochdale, scoring 26 goals in 40 appearances, and we're backing him to score against his former employers on Saturday.
Tranmere 2-2 Rochdale
