Northampton – Tranmere

Northampton host Tranmere in what promises to be a crucial clash in the lower half of the table, with the home side sitting 17th on six points after one win, three draws and two defeats, scoring three and conceding five. Tranmere sit a little higher in 10th place with nine points from two victories, three stalemates and a single loss, and a modestly superior goal difference of +2 (nine scored, seven conceded). The gap of three points means a win for Northampton could lift them out of the relegation zone, while Tranmere will be looking to close the distance to the playoff places. Their previous meetings have been tightly contested, reflecting the narrow margins that could decide this encounter. Both teams will be keen to convert the fine margins of their recent form into three points at Sixfields.