Bristol Rovers v Tranmere Rovers Match Preview
By Deadly Submarine
February 22 2008
Tranmere make another fairly long trip South in Coca-Cola League One with Bristol Rovers the opponents this time around. Bristol go into the game on the back of a fifth round FA Cup win over Championship side Southampton last Saturday whilst Tranmere are on a seven match unbeaten run.
Bristol R Vs Tranmere R
Saturday 23rd February 2008 - Kick-Off 3.00pm
Coca-Cola League One at The Memorial Ground
Just ten days after the long midweek trip to Brighton, Rovers head South again on Saturday for a first ever visit to the Memorial Ground to face Bristol Rovers.
Last time the two sides met for a Bristol Rovers home game almost exactly fifteen years ago, the Pirates played their home games in Bath at Twerton Park and the Rovers from Merseyside lost 1-0 in the League.
It was Bristol's Rovers that had the better of the last meeting between the two sides earlier this season when the visitors to Prenton Park won 2-0 in what was surely one of the worst Rovers performances of recent times, particularly at home. Williams and Lambert netted the goals in each half for the visitors.
That result will surely urge Tranmere into some kind of revenge against a side who may well be on a high after their FA Cup fifth round home win over Southampton last Saturday that earned them a sixth round tie at home to West Bromwich Albion of the Championship.
That huge cup win could of course work in Tranmere's favour as a cup win can often be followed by a hang-over in the next League game and Ronnie Moore's men will hoping that will be the case on Saturday.
A win for Tranmere, unbeaten in their last seven matches could see them move into third place in League One by 5.00pm and with Forest playing away at Leyton Orient and Carlisle hosting second placed Doncaster there are teams around them that are certain to drop points over this weekend and therefore a great chance for the SuperWhites to capitalise.
Recent form has kept Bristol Rovers just about clear of the relegation zone with the gap now being eight points from the dreaded drop spot. With three and in some cases four games in hand on other teams in the Division though, due in part to their Cup run, the Pirates could still be mounting a late play-off charge by the end of April if they can continue their recent form.
Unbeaten at home since 3rd November when struggling Bournemouth won 2-0, Bristol will not be an easy game by any means for Tranmere but hopefully the support that travels will be able to spur them on to a decent result.
If you are going enjoy the game! Come on (Tranmere) Rovers!
Ronnie Moore is only without Steve Davies and Chris Shuker (both knee) for the visit to Bristol after Calvin Zola recovered from a groin strain to be fit for a place in the squad.
Whether Moore opts to pair his son Ian with Chris Greenacre as he did in the home win over Millwall last Saturday, or bring Zola back into the starting line-up remains to be seen.
Match Referee - Kevin Friend (Leicestershire)
Useful Stats
Tranmere v Bristol Rovers League Head-to-Head
At Bristol:
P10 W2 D0 L8 F5 A15
Overall Record:
P21 W4 D4 L13 F20 A33
Tranmere Form Guide and Season Record
Form Guide
Overall: WWWDDW On the Road: LLLWWD
Season Record
Overall: P33 W14 D9 L10 F38 A30 On the Road: P11 W5 D5 L6 F14 A17
Bristol Rovers Form Guide and Season Record
Form Guide
Overall: DDWWLW At Home: DWDWWW
Season Record
Overall: P29 W10 D10 L9 F33 A32 At Home: P14 W5 D6 L3 F20 A18
LINK: FOOTBALL GROUNDS GUIDE WEBSITE - MEMORIAL GROUND