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Rovers will be looking to build on their good start to the season of two wins, a defeat and a draw whilst Hull will be desperately looking for their first win under Phil Parkinson, the ex-Colchester manager who has been given the tough task of taking over at Hull following the departure of Peter Taylor to Crystal Palace.
Hull City team profile:
Formed: 1904
Ground:
Manager: Phil Parkinson
Nickname: The Tigers
Season Finish 2005/06: 18th (Coca-Cola Championship)
Previous Meetings:
In the 2004/05 season, when both Hull and Tranmere were at the top of League One, there was a shocking result at the KC Stadium in December, when the Tigers defeated Rovers 6-1.
Already without Ryan Taylor through suspension, Rovers were soon to be left without both goalkeepers by half time, as John Achterberg suffered a knee injury after a challange with Delroy Facey and substitute goalkeeper Russ Howarth, having already conseeded a goal to Ashbee, was left with concussion thanks to a horrible challange from Stuart Elliot.
Elliot went on to score a hatrick whilst Barmby and Allsopp also netted for Hull past stand-in keeper Theo Whitmore, who is actually a midfielder.
Eugene Dadi appeared to have found some way back into the game for Rovers when he scored to make it 3-1 infront of the Rovers fans but it was not Rovers day.
Later on in the season at Prenton Park, Hull ran out 3-1 winners, thanks to a first half goal from Kevin Ellison, now a Tranmere player, equalising Ryan Taylor's blistering free-kick, before ex-Rovers player Jason Price and Craig Fagan scored second half goals to secure the points for Hull.
Vital Stats:
In the last two seasons, Tranmere have only won one out of four F.A. Cup and League Cup ties
Hull have beaten Tranmere 12 times out of 16 matches at home
The two sides have only drawn four times in 33 games overall
Tranmere and Hull have met nine times in March
On six occassions, Hull have scored four or more goals against Tranmere
League Cup History for Tranmere Rovers and Hull City
The game is the first cup tie of the season for both sides, and is indeed the first round of the Carling Cup (League Cup), the trophy in which Tranmere have a deep history in.
In the 1993/94 season, Rovers reached the semi-final of the league cup under John King before eventually going out on penalties to Aston Villa after the two sides had been tied at 3-3 after two games and extra-time.
Then in the 1999/00 season, Rovers had their most successful cup run, when under the guidence of John Aldridge, the Super White Army went all the way to Wembley before eventually losing 2-1 in the Worthington Cup Final to Leicester City, Dave Kelly scoring that infamous Rovers goal.
On the other hand, Hull City have neverb actually passed the Fourth Round of the League Cup. On these occassions, they have lost at Anfield to Liverpool (3-1, 1974/75), lost 2-1 at Belle Vue against Doncaster Rovers (1975/76) and 5-1 against Arsenal in the 1977-78 season.
The Form Book:
Hull First Four Games: LLLD
Tranmere First Four Games: WLDW
Hull City have had a terrible start under new boss Phil Parkinson, picking up only one point from their opening four games.
On the opening day, The Tigers were defeats 2-0 by West Brom at the Hawthorns, followed up by defeats to Barnsley (3-2 after leading 2-0) and Derby County (2-1) at the KC Stadium.
Most recently on Saturday, Phil Parkinson's new side picked up their first point of the season away to an equally struggling Ipswich Town, drawing 0-0 with Jim Magiliton's men at Portman Road.
Whilst Hull have atleast been consistent with their form at the start of the season, Tranmere have been very inconsistent.
An opening day victory over Oldham at Prenton Park (1-0) was followed by two games away from home in which they failed to score, losing 1-0 at Cheltenham Town and then drawing 0-0 at Belle Vue against Doncaster Rovers.
However, Rovers, also under new management with Ronnie Moore replacing Brian Little in the summer, returned to form on Saturday with a second successive home win over Yeovil Town (2-1).
Team News:
Rovers will be without Danny Harrison, who is expected to be out for a further 5 weeks with a foot injury, whilst Paul McLaren will not be risked by Ronnie Moore after he limped out of Saturdays 2-1 win over Yeovil.
Moore has also commented that Calvin Zola might get a starting place at Hull, saying: "I might give Calvin a full game to see what he can do for us, and McAteer and Mullin might get a game."
Hull have one injury worry, with Damien Delaney out for three months thanks to a training ground injury last week, resulting in Delaney rupturing the lateral ligament complex.
Jones' Prediction: Hull City 0-1 Tranmere Rovers