I predicted a tight, cagey, low scoring affair for the Port Vale game, and got that one massively wrong. So now it's time to do the same for a cup game, against a team in the division below, where we could potentially rotate the squad. Tranmere come to Oakwell off of the back of an opening day home defeat to Barrow. Despite having the majority of the possession and chances, Rovers could only register via a penalty. Understandably, we're the heavy bookies favourite despite there being no inclination of the strength of squad we're likely to field. Currently priced at 6/11 to progress to round 2 for the second consecutive season. Tranmere are looking to do the same, after beating Accrington in round 1 last season. Tranmere have never won at Oakwell. This will be the 28th meeting at our home between us in the last 91 years, of which we've won 16. The last meeting was an FA Cup tie just a couple of years ago, when second half goals from Michal Helik and Cauley Woodrow from the spot, saw off Keith Hill's plucky Rovers side. Herbie Kane and Callum Styles are the only 2 reds players to feature that day who could be in contention for Tuesday night. Jordan Williams was an unused substitute. I'm going to predict a reasonably strong lineup for Tuesday night as players still come back to full fitness. With that in mind, I'm going for a 2-0 home win, with Watters and Dallas on the scoresheet.
Well, as my forecast for yesterday was so startlingly accurate (1-0 win, Herbie) I'll go with another Cole hat-trick in a 4-0 win.
Hard to predict. Collins has already said it’ll be a very young side which is hardly surprising given how thin the first team squad is at present.
Khaled has insisted all the academy prospects start so we’ll lose 3-0 but it will be ok because we will sell Luca Connell, Herbie Kane and Styles for a combined total of 7.2 million.
I don't do predictions, but this surely will be their best chance so far, of winning at Oakwell. If we're going to be doing a lot of rotating, it might go to pens!.