Tranmere Rovers vs Rochdale predictions and betting tips – Early start for EFL Cup

Aug 1, 2026 - 08:15

The EFL Cup begins this weekend, with Tranmere Rovers and Rochdale two of the four sides who must take part in a preliminary round.

The winners will go through to the competition proper, while the losers will be eliminated before the action has really started. Will it be Tranmere or Rochdale celebrating on Saturday?

Rochdale to win – 6/5 with Sky Bet
Rochdale to score first – 9/11 with BOYLE Sports
Emmanuel Dieseruvwe to score any time – 13/10 with Midnite

Tranmere Rovers vs Rochdale head to head overview

Date: Saturday 1st August.
Kick-off: 3pm.
Venue: Prenton Park, Birkenhead, England.
Where to watch: Sky Sports+.
Referee: TBC.
VAR: No.
Last meeting: 18th April 2023; Rochdale 2-2 Tranmere Rovers.
Last 10 matches: Tranmere Rovers – 3 wins; Rochdale – 3 wins; Draws – 4.
Favourite to win: Rochdale.

Tranmere Rovers vs Rochdale predicted lineups

Tranmere Rovers expected lineup: Male; Senior, O’Connor, Turnbull, Smith, Slater, Finley, Davies, Whitaker, Ince, Ironside.
Rochdale expected lineup: Waller; Sherring, Ebanks-Landell, Beckwith; Adebayo-Rowling, East, Gilmour, Moss; Rodney, Dieseruvwe, Hannant.

Tranmere Rovers vs Rochdale predictions

The EFL Cup is not readily associated with Saturday afternoons in August, but that is when the tournament will begin this season.

With more English teams involved in European competition than ever before and thus needing to enter the EFL Cup at a later date, a preliminary round was added to the format last season.

Four teams are involved in the qualifiers: the two teams promoted from the National League in 2025/26 (York City and Rochdale) and the two lowest non-relegated sides from League Two (Crawley Town and Tranmere Rovers).

Tranmere only just avoided relegation to non-league last time out. After a nightmare end to the season which saw them win just one of their final 15 fixtures, Tranmere finished just two points above the dreaded dotted line.

Their fans hope for a comfortable campaign this time around, but the consensus is that Tranmere could struggle.

In each of the last six seasons, the Merseysiders have finished in a lower league position than the year before. Many supporters would gladly settle for survival if they were offered it right now.

Naturally, the EFL Cup is of secondary concern despite fond but fading memories of Tranmere’s run to the final in 1999/00.

Optimism is in greater supply at Rochdale heading into the new season. After missing out on automatic promotion from the National League despite amassing 106 points, Rochdale held their nerve to win the play-offs last term.

Consolidation in League Two is the objective this time around, but Rochdale could push for the play-offs even without former manager Jimmy McNulty, who has joined Stockport County and been replaced by Ian Watson.

Tranmere Rovers vs Rochdale betting tips

Only one of Tranmere Rovers or Rochdale will take part in the first round of the EFL Cup.

First round awaits victors

Rochdale have momentum behind them following promotion last season, whereas Tranmere Rovers have consistently regressed in recent years.

The loss of Jimmy McNulty is a blow for Rochdale, but Ian Watson could prove to be a canny appointment despite his lack of EFL experience.

Tranmere Rovers have also changed their manager over the summer, Darrell Clarke succeeding the erstwhile interim Ian Wild.

However, we predict a disappointing start for Clarke at Prenton Park, with Rochdale rightly rated as favourites by the bookies.

Back Rochdale to win at 6/5 with Sky Bet

Who strikes first?

Rochdale were adept at scoring the first goal of the game in their promotion-winning campaign last time out.

It will be harder to do that with such regularity in League Two, but in recent years we have seen several sides be competitive in the fourth tier immediately after promotion.

Of course, Saturday’s showdown is in the EFL Cup rather than the league, but Rochdale will nevertheless be keen to make a statement ahead of matchday one.

The visitors to Birkenhead will play on the front foot and aim to take the lead, thus forcing Tranmere Rovers to play catch-up in front of their own fans.

Go for Rochdale to score first at 9/11 with BOYLE Sports

Dieseruvwe one to watch

There were fears over the summer that Rochdale would lose Emmanuel Dieseruvwe, who was a revelation in the National League last season.

The striker had already scored plenty of goals at that level for Halifax Town and Hartlepool United, but he took things to another level by striking 28 times for Rochdale in 2025/26.

The 31-year-old remains at Spotland and he will be chomping at the bit to show what he can do in League Two.

First up is the EFL Cup. Rochdale legend Ian Henderson is pushing for a starting role, but the 41-year-old will have to play second fiddle to Dieseruvwe, who is our pick to score.

Tip Emmanuel Dieseruvwe to score any time at 13/10 with Midnite

Tranmere Rovers vs Rochdale latest odds

Find the latest Tranmere Rovers vs Rochdale betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.

More EFL predictions

We have plenty more EFL Cup predictions and picks – find our latest betting tips from expert punters in our match preview overview.

Important historical facts about Tranmere Rovers and Rochdale for betting

Tranmere Rovers have won just one of their last five home games against Rochdale. A 21st-place finish last term made it Tranmere Rovers’ worst season since 2017/18. In their last eight entries into the tournament, Rochdale have reached at least the second round of the EFL Cup.

About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

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