Colchester vs Tranmere Predictions

• Tranmere won just four of their 23 League Two away games last season
• Colchester conceded just 15 league goals on their own patch last term
• United have lost just one of their last ten home league games

Rovers have to make a stronger start this time

Tranmere would have loved to have been a lot more comfortable in their quest to avoid relegation last season and would love to build on the form they generated towards the end of the last campaign, but this looks a tricky start for them at Colchester.

Rovers made sure they would not slip into the National League after losing just two of their final 11 games, but their away record was poor throughout the season and that does not bode well for this trip to Essex.

Colchester should fancy their chances of at least finishing in the top seven this time having missed out on a playoff spot by three points last season, and this looks a good opportunity for them to make a strong start.

Shrewd manager can help United flourish

United have one of the shrewdest managers in the division in Danny Cowley, who knows exactly what is needed at this level having guided Lincoln to bottom-tier glory seven years ago.

And they showed they can be a hard team to penetrate at home as only Bradford City conceded fewer goals on their own patch.

Colchester should be taken to claim three points from this one and their strong defensive record suggests they could do it without conceding, so a 2-0 home victory appeals from a correct-score perspective.