Southport vs Tranmere Predictions

Going away from home to face a side that resides two divisions above can be a daunting task, but Southport, who ply their trade in the National League North, were seemingly unfazed at Prenton Park, as they came from a goal down to earn a replay. With that pleasing effort under their belts, Monday’s hosts will fancy themselves to do well in front of what will be a packed Haig Avenue.

Tranmere aren’t one of League Two’s mots menacing teams, but they’re no mugs, so it was easy to feel that Southport would fall short when they visited Prenton Park earlier in the month, though the sixth-tier side proved that they’re also not to be taken lightly. Liam Watson’s men didn’t shy away from the task, they went toe-to-toe with the League Two side and essentially matched them from start to finish.

It was Tranmere who took the lead in the initial tie, but they were anything but dominant prior to their goal, while they failed to assert themselves once they were in front. It did take a stunning long-range effort from Bradley Bauress to bring the visitors level, but after that it was the semi-pro side that threatened most. The fact that Southport dominated the overall possession and had the same amount of efforts at goal as the League Two side in the initial tie tells us that they were anything but outclassed.

In terms of league form, Southport haven’t exactly been flourishing at home in recent times. Watson’s men have won none of their eight home matches in the National League North this season, which is very worrying, though it’s not as if Tranmere have been great on their travels of late, while the hosts now know that they can cause the League Two side problems.

Despite what happened in the reverse fixture, Tranmere come into this match as red-hot favourites, though it’s hard to see why they’re so short in the early betting. Granted, as the pro team playing in League Two, they merit favouritism, but if the first match is anything to go by, then it’s easy to conclude that they’ve been overestimated a tad. Similarly, given how well they played at Prenton Park, the hosts look slightly big in the betting.

They may not have thrived on their own patch in the league, but Southport showed that they can raise their game when drawing with Tranmere in the reverse fixture, so it’s not difficult to envisage them delivering a big effort in front of their own fans, especially since Tottenham await the winners in the next round. Quite simply, having matched Monday’s visitors in every area on their travels, Liam Watson’s men are fancied to give this a good go on their own patch and, at what appears to be a slightly generous price, are worth backing to get a positive result.