Next Match: Tranmere Rovers v Blackpool


By Deadly Submarine
April 15 2005

After defeat to Brentford at Griffin Park on Tuesday Night that also saw Luton Town promoted, Tranmere could still need four points from their remaining four games to secure a play-off place. Rovers entertain Blackpool on Saturday at 3pm and will be hopeful of keeping their unique record intact.

Rovers remain the only team in League One to have not lost two consecutive League Games this season and will need to keep that record going on Saturday having lost to Brentford on Tuesday night. Blackpool were also in action on Tuesday night when they won 1-0 away at already relegated Stockport County thanks to a goal from Kiegan Parker.

 

It’s a game with all to play for for both sides as Tranmere chase a guaranteed play-off  place and Blackpool look to see of the final threats of relegation.  Blackpool have climbed away from the relegation zone in recent weeks but will still not be mathematically safe unless they win at Prenton Park on Saturday or Wrexham and Torquay both lose.

 

Hartlepool and Bournemouth are now the only two teams who can rob Rovers of a play-off place but if Hartlepool lose at home to Sheffield Wednesday on Friday night, a win for Tranmere against Blackpool will seal their play-off place no matter what happens to Bournemouth.  If Hartlepool win, however, the scenario for Saturday will be as follows:

 

If Rovers and Bournemouth both get the same result as each other on Saturday then Tranmere will still require a point away at Swindon next week to ensure a play-off place.  However, if Rovers win and Bournemouth fail to do so (by either drawing or losing away at Chesterfield), Tranmere will be guaranteed a play-off place.

 

Tranmere have lost two and drawn one of their last six games compared to the Seasiders record of two defeats and two draws.  The last clean sheet for both sides came in the form of 1-0 win against Stockport, in Tranmere’s last home match and in Blackpool’s case on Tuesday night.

 

Tranmere failed to score in a league game on Tuesday night for the first time since January when they lost at home to Bristol City.

 

In the last meeting between the sides at Bloomfield Road earlier in the season, Tranmere came out 1-0 winners thanks to a first half cracker from Ian Goodison.  In the last Prenton Park meeting between the sides, Scott Taylor put Blackpool 1-0 up against his old side in the first half but Ian Hume assured a 1-1 draw with a second half strike.

 

Since the 2001-02 season, the two sides have met seven times, with Tranmere the victors three times and two Blackpool wins and a draw.  At Prenton Park, the sides have met three times since 2001 with Tranmere winning twice including a 4-0 win in 2001 and Blackpool winning once.

 

DEADLY’S MATCH PREDICTION: TRANMERE ROVERS 2-0 BLACKPOOL

 

 

Team News

 

 

Tranmere have slight doubts over wing-backs Ryan Taylor (concussion) and Gareth Roberts (shoulder) who picked up injuries against Brentford on Tuesday night.  Les Parry is confident that both will be available but manager Brian Little has stated that if they are unfit then they will not be risked.

 

Rovers are definitely without long-term absentees Gary Jones (toe) and David Beresford (hamstring) but are boosted by the return of striker Eugene Dadi following his three match ban for his sending off against Doncaster.  It is possible that Dadi may go straight into the side at the expense of Theo Whitmore, with Paul Hall moving back into midfield.

 

Blackpool boss Colin Hendry hopes to have Tony Butler back after an Achilles injury, but Gareth Evans (knee) is a long term absentee.

 

Probable Rovers Team: Achterberg, Taylor, Sharps, Jackson, Goodison, Roberts, Rankine, Harrison, Hall, Dadi, Hume.

 

Referee – Mr Darren Drysdale (Lincolnshire)

 

 

 

 

Stat Attack!!

 

Past Meetings:

 

Last Meeting – 20th November 2004 – Coca-Cola League One (Bloomfield Road)

 

Blackpool 0-1 Tranmere Rovers

                     Goodison 38

 

 

Last Meeting at Prenton Park –7th February 2004 – Coca-Cola League One

 

Tranmere Rovers 1-1 Blackpool

Hume 74                   Taylor 36

 

 

 

Top Scorers:

 

Tranmere Rovers:  Iain Hume – 16 Goals

 

Blackpool: Keigan Parker– 12 Goals

 

 

Summary of Past Meetings (Since 2001-02 Season):

 

At Prenton Park:

 

Games Played = 3

Tranmere Wins = 2

Blackpool Wins = 1

Drawn = 0

 

Total in All Games:

 

Games Played = 7

Tranmere Wins = 3

Blackpool Wins = 2

Drawn = 2

 

 

Current Form Guide:

 

Tranmere:

 

Last Six Games – WDLWWL            Last Six Games At Home: DWLWLW

 

Blackpool:

 

Last Six Games – DWDLLW            Last Six Games Away: LDWLLW