Sheff Weds v Tranmere Rovers – Sat April 2nd (3pm)


By Deadly Submarine
March 31 2005

Tranmere travel to Hillsborough this Saturday on the back of a disappointing Easter where they picked up just one point from a possible six. Their opponents however also only managed the same tally in their two Easter games and still sit just two points behind Rovers in fourth place.

Tranmere will be looking to bounce back immediately from their poor defeat at home to Doncaster on Easter Monday and so far this season, Rovers have avoided back to back defeats by always responding positively to a defeat.  Sheffield Wednesday’s last clean sheet was on March 6th in a 2-0 derby victory over Doncaster at Hillsborough and over Easter they drew 2-2 at home with Torquay Utd before a 1-0 derby defeat to Huddersfield on Tuesday night.  Rovers last kept a clean sheet in the 5-0 home thrashing of Peterborough United on March 18th.

 

Tranmere and Sheffield Wednesday look favourites to finish in 3rd and 4th places in League One this season therefore securing a play-off place and many see this Saturday’s game potentially being repeated in the play-off final in Cardiff on May 29th.   The result of Saturday’s game will go some way to deciding who will finish ahead out of the two clubs and three points for either team will see them almost guarantee a play-off spot although mathematically both teams can still miss out.

 

In the previous meeting between the sides this season at Prenton Park back in August, an action packed game saw Tranmere go in at half-time leading 3-2 thanks to goals from Calvin Zola, Mike Jackson and a penalty from Ryan Taylor.  Wednesday had responded through Steven MacLean and Ndumbu-Nsungu.  A further goal from Iain Hume in the 2nd half gave Tranmere a comfortable looking 4-2 victory.

 

In all past meetings between the clubs, both sides have won two matches with one draw but Rovers have never picked up a point at Hillsborough, having lost both previous meetings.  The last of these meetings was in September 2003 when Wednesday triumphed 2-0 thanks to two goals in three second half minutes from Smith and Cooke.

 

MATCH PREDICTION: 1-1

 

 

Team News

 

Tranmere will be boosted by the return of Gareth Roberts from international duty with Wales where he was twice an unused substitute during his country’s two defeats to Austria.  Long term absentees Gary Jones (toe), David Beresford (hamstring) are unavailable as is striker Eugene Dadi who is banned for three matches following his sending off against Doncaster.

 

Sheffield Wednesday have James Quinn available again after international duty with Northern Ireland but have defender Alex Bruce, son of Birmingham manager Steve, suspended for three games after his sending off at Huddersfield on Tuesday night.  David Lucas (knee ligaments), Paul Smith (knee), top scorer Steven MacLean (stress fracture) and former Tranmere loanee Adam Proudlock (knee) are all injured and therefore unavailable.  Graeme Lee may return from a groin injury but Lewis McMahon has mumps and will not take part.

 

Probable Rovers Team: Achterberg, Taylor, Sharps, Jackson, Goodison, Roberts, Rankine, McAteer, Whitmore, Hall, Hume.

 

Referee – Mr Andre Marriner (West Midlands)

 

 

Stat Attack!!

 

Past Meetings:

 

Last Meeting – 27th August 2004 – Coca-Cola League One (Prenton Park)

 

Tranmere Rovers 4-2 Sheffield Wednesday

Zola 12                   MacLean 27

Jackson 18              Ndumbu-Nsungu 45

Taylor (pen) 30

Hume 64

 

 

Last Meeting at Hillsborough – 6th September 2003 – Coca-Cola League One

 

Shefffield Wednesday 2 – 0 Tranmere Rovers

Smith 57

Cooke 61

 

 

Top Scorers:

 

Tranmere Rovers:  Iain Hume – 15 Goals

 

Sheffield Wednesday: Steven MacLean – 18 Goals

 

 

Summary of Past Meetings:

 

At Hillsborough:

 

Games Played = 2

Tranmere Wins = 0

Sheff Weds Wins = 2

Drawn = 0

 

Total in All Games:

 

Games Played = 5

Tranmere Wins = 2

Sheff Weds Wins = 2

Drawn = 1