Brighton and Hove Albion v Tranmere Rovers Match Preview

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Brighton and Hove Albion Factfile:

Ground: The Withdean Stadium
Formed: 1901
Nickname:  The Seagulls
Manager:  Gus Poyet
League Finish 2009/10: 13th
Kit Colours: Blue and white striped shirt, blue shorts and blue socks (home), black and red striped shirt, black shorts and socks (away)

Previous Meetings:

Tranmere Rovers continued their strong form against the better placed League One sides when these two sides met at Prenton Park in October, with Les Parry's side recording a 1-1 draw.

It was very even game, with Tranmere shading the possession stats by 2% and have five more shots (all off target) than the visitors.

The early chances fell to Rovers, as Akins saw a shot blocked and Showunmi tackled when through on goal by Painter.

Labadie soon forced Ankergren into a save, whilst Gulacsi held Bennett's shot before on 335 minutes Brighton took the lead, ex-Rochdale striker Glenn Murray firing past Gulacsi from 25-yards after Ankergren's long range kick was miss-controlled by both Goodison and Barnes.

Bennett saw two chances saved by Gulacsi before the half way mark, but after half time it was all Tranmere, with Showunmi hitting the post and moments later having penalty appeals turned down after going down under a tackle from Elphick.

Showunmi, Akins and Goodison all had chances that were missed and it looked like Tranmere were going to finish the game empty handed, but on 87-minutes, on-loan Manchester United defender Scott Wootton headed home Aaron Cresswell's corner on his debut to make it 1-1.

Vital Stats: 

In eighteen previous away games against Brighton, Tranmere have won just three times, losing on nine occasions

Brighton have netted twice as many goals as Tranmere when these two sides have met on the South Coast, scoring 26 goals to Rovers' 13

Despite both these clubs having enjoyed spells in the Championship/Divsion one recently, all of the previous 35 league meetings between these two teams have come in the bottom two divisions of English football

These two sides have never drawn twice against each other in the same season

Rovers have lost just once in four games against Brighton at the Withdean since their relegation to League One, keeping three clean sheets in the process

On This Day:

2005: Chris Dagnall scores the only goal as Tranmere beat Hartlepool 1-0 at Victoria Park

2002: Simon Haworth is on target for Dave Watson's Tranmere in a 1-1 draw with Blackpool at the Seaside

1996: Rovers lose 2-1 against Chrystal Palace in Division One

Tranmere Rovers have played seventeen previous games on this day, picking up nine wins, five draws and just three draws.  In these seventeen games, they have scored 20 goals and conceded on thirteen occasions.

All of Tranmere's last five games on this day have been away from home, with Rovers recording two wins, one draw and two defeats in this time, whilst from eleven away games on this day, they've picked up five wins and three draws.

The Form Book:

Brighton and Hove Albion last six home games:  WWWWWW
Tranmere Rovers last six away games:  DDLLWD

Gus Poyet has, without doubt, built a fabulous League One Brighton side that are currently top of the table by seven points, are yet to lose a home game and have lost just one of their last ten league games.

The Seagulls have also won all of their last six matches, starting with a brilliant 3-1 F.A. Cup third round success over Championship side Portsmouth, Wood, Barnes and Sandanza on target, before Wood netted twice in a 3-1 win over Peterborough in their next outing.

Brighton then beat Colchester United 2-0 in their next home fixture, whilst the goals continued to flow against Hartlepool in their next home fixture, Glenn Murray netting twice in a 4-1 victory over Hartlepool.

Plymouth were then hammered 4-0 at the Withdean, Murray again netting twice, before another four goals helped them to a 4-3 win over Carlisle in their most recent home game, Murray this time only getting one.

This means that they've scored twelve goals in their last three home games and they in fact have the second best attack in home games this season, with their 40 home goals only bettered by Peterborough (51).

Other notable results on home soil this season for Gus Poyet's side include victories against MK Dons (2-0), Oldham (2-1), Yeovil (2-0) and Exeter City (3-0).

The Seagulls have so far played sixteen games at The Withdean Stadium this season, picking up 40 of an available 48 points, this thanks to twelve wins and four draws. They are yet to lose a home fixture.

Impressive results away from home for Paul Tisdale's side include victories over Peterborough (3-1), Brentford (1-0), Leyton Orient (5-0) and Charlton Athletic (4-0).

Brighton come into this game in first place in the League One table, a place they have occupied since September 25th, having played 33 games and picked up 68 of an available 99 points, this thanks to 20 wins, eight draws and five defeats.

Tranmere Rovers have actually only lost two of their last away games, but the telling statistic is that they haven't won in four on the road or in their last six matches, both home and away.

Other impressive results away from home for Tranmere this season include wins over Bristol Rovers (1-0) and Walsall (4-1) and another win over Walsall, this time 1-0 in the League Cup.

Les Parry's side have played 17 away league games this season and picked up 17 of an available 51 points, this thanks to four wins, five draws and eight defeats.

Notable results at Prenton Park for Tranmere this season include victories over Southampton (2-0), MK Dons (4-2), Sheffield Wednesday (3-0) and Peterborough United (1-0).

Les Parry's side currently lie in 18th place in League One, having picked up 39 of an available 102 points from 34 games, thanks to ten wins, nine draws and fifteen defeats.

Double Hit:
 

Seb Carole spent four dismal months on the Wirral before being released when his contract expired on December 31st, joining Brighton eleven days later after an initial trial with the club.

Carole started his career in France, where he played for Monaco, before spending time on loan in England with West Ham United.  A further loan spell in France, this time with Chateauroux followed, before he signed permanently for an English club for the first time in August 2005, joining Brighton for an undisclosed fee having made nine appearances for Monaco, scoring once.

The winger spent one season at the Withdean, making 42 appearances and scoring two goals before leaving on a free-transfer for Leeds United after his impressive form had attracted the attention of the former Champions of England.

Carole stayed at Leeds for over two seasons, making 52 appearances for the Elland Road side and scoring three goals, before signing for Darlington for an undisclosed fee in November 2008.

This though was when his career began to stall, after such a promising and impressive start in the English game.  He made just seven appearances for the Quakers, before moving out on-loan, re-joining Brighton, where he made a further twelve appearances, before being released by Darlington last summer.

After a few months in the football wilderness, Carole was picked up and signed by then Tranmere manager John Barnes on a free-transfer.  However, Carole made just five appearances for the club, all of these under Barnes, who was sacked just a month after Carole had signed for the club.

For the next two and a half months, Carole was relegated to the reserves as he was deemed not good enough by Les Parry, before being released at the end of his contract on December 31st.

After his release, Carole joined Brighton, making nine appearances for the club before the end of the season before being released in the summer.  He returned to France and in November 2010 signed for First Divsion club Nice.

One To Watch:

A striker with undoubted talent, Glen Murray is a strong, goalscoring striker who has troubled Tranmere's defence in the past, having netted against the Mighty Whites in his last three games against them.

The striker started his career at Carlisle United, but he failed to ever make an impression at Brunton Park, scoring just six goals in 58 appearances for the club, and was shipped out on loan to Stockport and Rochdale.

Around League One:

There is a full round of twelve fixtures in npower League One this Saturday, all kicking off at 3pm:

Bournemouth vs. Southampton
Brighton vs. Tranmere
Bristol Rovers vs. Huddersfield
Charlton vs. Brentford
Colchester vs. MK Dons
Hartlepool vs. Plymouth
Leyton Orient vs. Oldham
Peterborough vs. Carlisle
Rochdale vs. Exeter
Sheffield Wednesday vs. Notts County
Swindon vs. Dagenham and Redbridge
Yeovil vs. Walsall

Team News:

Les Parry has promised changes to his Tranmere side this weekend following their dismal display against Bristol Rovers on Tuesday night at Prenton Park.

The only players the manager has said played well in that game are Andy Robinson and captain John Welsh, so both are likely to keep their places, but other changes could be made, most likely including Adam McGurk replacing Ashton Taylor.

Defenders Ian Goodison and Mark McChrystal are both doubts for the game with a knee and rub injury, meaning Max Blanchard could return to the Tranmere starting XI, whilst Dale Jennings may also be able to make a return after taking part in training again this week.

Lateef Elford-Alliyu could start on the wing for Tranmere, whilst either full-back, Aaron Cresswell and Robbie Weir, could be dropped from the side.

This game may come too early for Alan Mahon who played 45 minutes for the reserves midweek, whilst Ryan Fraughan and Marlon Broomes both miss out with knee injuries.