Tranmere Rovers v Walsall Preview
By Deadly Submarine
April 1 2006
All the News and Statistics ahead of the visit of struggling Walsall to Prenton Park in Coca-Cola League One this Friday as Rovers look to build on their two match winning run including last Saturday’s 4-1 home win over Chesterfield that saw them move nine points clear of the relegation zone.
TOTAL TRANMERE – Match Preview
Friday March 17th 2006 – Kick-Off 7.45pm
Coca-Cola League One at Prenton Park
By Deadly Submarine
Friday Night Football returns to Prenton Park once again this week as struggling Walsall travel up the M6 to try and beat an in form Rovers side on their own patch. Earlier in the season the two sides battled out a 0-0 draw at the Bescot Stadium on Boxing Day during Rovers best run of the season to date.
After two successive 1-0 defeats at the hands of Barnsley at home and Oldham away, Tranmere have notched up two successive wins but more importantly have been finding the net on a regular basis.
The re-arranged midweek trip to Swindon saw Rovers win 2-1 and the SuperWhites followed up that success with a 4-1 home win over Chesterfield last Saturday after going 1-0 down in the first half.
Rovers have only lost once in their last six home games whilst their West Midlands opponents have only won twice on their travels all season in the League, with their last success being a 3-1 win at Scunthorpe back in September. Walsall have also scored just one goal in their last five matches away from home.
The Saddlers lost their seasons top-scorer Matty Fryatt to Leicester in January and since then Manager Paul Merson has been sacked from the Club as they currently flirt with relegation in League One.
In the two meetings between the Clubs last season, Rovers won 2-0 at the Bescot just after Christmas thanks to goals from Jason McAteer and Ryan Taylor. In the return fixture at Prenton Park, Iain Hume and Chris Dagnall secured a 2-1 win for Rovers despite a consolation from Jorge Leitao for the Saddlers.
Another three points for Rovers on Friday night would move them up to ninth place in League One overnight until the rest of their rivals play on Saturday. A defeat though would see all their recent hard work undone and would put them back in relegation danger once again.
MATCH PREDICTION: Tranmere Rovers 3-1 Walsall
Tranmere Rovers: Rovers are likely to be unchanged for the visit of Walsall with Manager Brian Little hinting that he will stick with the 4-4-2 formation that has served his side well in the last two matches. Tranmere’s only definite absentee is John Achterberg who is still struggling to return to fitness.
Walsall: The Saddlers have defender Ian Roper available again after a one match suspension but he may have to settle for a place on the bench. Midfielder Dean Keates (hamstring) is a doubt after missing the 1-1 draw with Swansea last week. Madds Timm and Chris Westwood may also be in contention after coming through a midweek reserve game after injuries.
Match Referee – Carl Boyeson (Yorkshire)
Tranmere Rovers:
Last Six At Home - DDWDLW
Last Six Games – DDLLWW
Season Stats (At Home):
P18 W6 D8 L4 F28 A22
Season Stats (All Matches):
P37 W11 D14 L12 F42 A38
Walsall:
Last Six Away - LLLDDD
Last Six Games – LDDLDD
Season Stats (Away):
P18 W2 D7 L10 F17 A32
Season Stats (All Matches):
P35 W9 D12 L14 F39 A52
Tranmere Rovers: Chris Greenacre – 16 Goals
Walsall: Matty Fryatt – 14 Goals (Now At Leicester City)
Jorge Leitao – 7 Goals
26th December 2005 – Coca-Cola League One – Bescot Stadium
Walsall 0 – 0 Tranmere Rovers
Attendance: 6,476
Referee: Keith Hill (Hertfordshire)
28th December 2004 – Coca-Cola League One – Bescot Stadium
Walsall 0 – 2 Tranmere Rovers
McAteer 57
Taylor 81
Attendance: 7,217
Referee: Graham Laws (Tyne and Wear)
22nd January 2005 – Coca-Cola League One – Prenton Park
Tranmere Rovers 2– 1 Walsall
Hume 8 Leitao 62
Dagnall 50
Attendance: 8,651
Referee: Phil Prosser (Yorkshire)
Tranmere Rovers All-Time League Record Vs Walsall:
All Matches:
P55 W19 D11 L25 F73 A78
At Prenton Park:
P27 W14 D6 L7 F48 A26
For Total Tranmere’s information article on Match Tickets and also for Travel and Stadium Information for Prenton Park Click Here!