Leeds United vs. Tranmere Rovers match preview

Formed: 1919

Ground: Elland Road

Manager: Gary McAllister

Nickname: United

Season Finish 2006/07: 24th (Coca-Cola Championship)

Previous Meetings:

Leeds United managed to snatch an opening day away victory at Prenton Park earlier in the season, a win which surely gave them a great boost and helped them on their way to a fantastic thirteen match unbeaten run in the league.

Tranmere initially lead the game thanks to a strike from Leeds United fan Chris Greenacre midway through the first half, with the striker converting a Chris Shuker shot-come-cross at the back post.

However, Leeds stole the win with two second half goals. Firstly, Heath equalised in the 55th minute with a header at the far post from a free-kick by former Celtic and Bolton player Alan Thompson before Tresor Kandol earnt Wise's side the three points with 89 minutes on the clock.

Tranmere had had chances to win the game, before Frazer Richardson beat his man and crossed into the box from where Kandol slotted the ball through Coyne's legs.

Vital Stats:

This will be the first time Tranmere and Leeds have met at Elland Road in the League

Rovers have lost their previous two trips to Elland Road 4-0 (F.A. Cup) and 3-1 (League Cup) in 1933 and 1991

Tranmere's solitary win against Leeds came in the League Cup at Prenton Park in 2001, when an Andy Parkinson inspired Rovers team, managed by John Aldridge, came from 2-0 down at half-time to win the match 3-2 in extra-time

Rovers have conceded 11 goals in five games against Leeds

This is the first season that the teams have been in the same league together

On This Day:

2002: Rovers, managed by Dave Watson, draw 0-0 with Chesterfield during their first season back in Division Two (now League One)

1991: John King's Tranmere are thrashed 4-0 at Brisbane Road by Leyton Orient in Division Three

1973: Tranmere win 6-2 at home to Brentford in Division Three

Tranmere Rovers have played twelve previous fixtures on February 2nd, picking up two wins, five draws and five defeats, including a run of no wins in their last five fixtures on this date. They have conceded 26 goals and scored 18 in these twelve games on February 2nd.

The Form Book:

Leeds United last 6 home games: LWLWWW
Tranmere last 6 away games: WLLLLD

Leeds United's form has begun to slide after what was a superb start to the season which saw them wipe out their 15 point deficit within five league games.

At the start of their six match sequence, Leeds hammered Port Vale 3-0 before taking on and beating local rivals Huddersfield 4-0 at Elland Road.

United then won their next home game 1-0 against Bristol Rovers before slipping to a 3-1 defeat at home to in form Oldham Athletic, a team who would beat Everton in their next match.

Leeds though improved in their next match to beat Northampton Town 3-0 before slipping to a 1-0 home defeat to Doncaster Rovers last time out at Elland Road in front of over 31,000, with Stock getting the only goal in the first half for Leeds.

Other notable home results for United include wins over Southend United (4-1), Swansea City (2-0) and Millwall (4-2), although their form has dipped somewhat since former assistant manager Gus Poyet departed to join Juande Ramos at Spurs.

United do have a formidable home record though, as they have picked up 34 of an available 42 points at Elland Road, thanks to eleven wins, one draw and two defeats from 14 games.

Impressive away results for the Yorkshire club include wins over Nottingham Forest (2-1), Oldham Athletic (1-0) and Bournemouth (3-1).

They have however won just two of their last eight games and none of their last three matches, although two came away from home.

Tranmere's away record was left looking slightly better after their win against Millwall in their last away game, although they have still only picked up one win in their last seven on the road.

In the first match of their six match sequence, Rovers slipped to a dull 0-0 draw with Port Vale before they travelled to Kenilworth Road and were unlucky to come away empty handed after a Danny Coyne error gifted Luton a goal, with Tranmere slipping to a 1-0 defeat.

The New Year didn't see a revival in Tranmere's away form, as following the dismissal of Ian Goodison Rovers slipped to an exciting 4-3 defeat at Gresty Road against Crewe before travelling to Leyton Orient exactly a week later, where they were once again unlucky to lose, with Orient coming out on top 3-0 following the sending off of Shane Sherriff for Tranmere.

In their next away day, Tranmere were knocked out of the F.A. Cup as they travelled to Edgar Street to take on Hereford United in a Third Round F.A. Cup replay.

Tranmere had numerous chances against the Bulls, however, they failed to convert any of them and a second half strike from Hereford midfielder Simon Johnson was enough to seal the home side a 1-0 win as they progressed to the fourth round of the tournament.

Rovers however did pick up a win in their last match on the road as an 87th minute header from Antony Kay was enough to secure Ronnie Moore's side a 1-0 win at the New Den against Millwall.

Other important away results for Tranmere this season include wins over Carlisle United (1-0), Gillingham (2-0) and Southend United (2-1), as well as a 3-0 F.A. Cup second round victory away to Bradford.

From 14 away games this season, Tranmere have picked up four wins, four draws and six defeats, meaning they have a total of 16 points from an available 42.

Notable home results for Tranmere include wins over Bournemouth (3-1), Carlisle United (2-0), Huddersfield (3-0) and Luton Town (2-1).

Double Hit:

Tranmere Rovers left-sided player Shane Sherriff started his career in English football with Leeds United after being spotted by the club when playing in his native Australia.

Sherriff however failed to ever make an appearance for the Yorkshire based club, although he was on the bench for David O'Leary's team on a number of occasions, such as for a big game for United against rivals Manchester United.

The only time Sherriff tasted first team football whilst at Leeds was when on loan at Rochdale, where the Australian made four appearances in a one month spell at Spotland.

Due to the clubs financial crisis, Sherriff was released by Leeds in the summer of 2003 and he moved to Denmark to play for Danish Superliga side Aarhus.

After three years of football in Denmark, where Sherriff enjoyed a reasonable amount of success, he moved back to England in 2006, joining Tranmere Rovers on a two-year contract for a free transfer.

Since joining Rovers, Sherriff has played eighty games, of which many have come at left-back although he has been employed at left-midfield in more recent months.

The 25-year old is renowned for his aerial ability in both boxes, but particularly the opposition area, as he has scored seven goals for Tranmere so far, with many of them coming from set-pieces.

Sherriff has also represented his country, playing for Australia at a number of youth levels, including appearances in their 2004 Athens Olympic side.

One To Watch:

Jermaine Beckford is League One's leading scorer and he has been troubling defences all season with his natural pace, strength and height as well as a wonderful finishing ability.

The striker actually started his career as a youth team player with Chelsea, but after failing to impress the clubs coaching staff, he was released in 2003 and joined non-League side Wealdstone.

Here, the London born striker enjoyed great success, as he scored 35 goals in 40 games and attracted the attention of a number of clubs, including Sunderland, Charlton and Southampton.

After a trial at Crystal Palace, Leeds United came in for the striker and he signed a contract with the club in March 15th 2006.

Beckford however failed to break into the first team at Leeds firstly, making five goalless appearances for the club in his first season.

In October 2006, Beckford moved to Carlisle United on loan for whom he made five appearances and scored once before returning to Leeds after a month with the Blues.

Tranmere Rovers indeed had been in for the player, and they were again interested later in the season when he moved to Scunthorpe United.

At Scunthorpe, Beckford's profile really began to rise. The Irons were expected to struggle following the departure of influential striker Andy Keogh, but Beckford forged a great partnership with Billy Sharp and helped United win promotion to the Coca-Cola Championship, scoring eight goals in eighteen games for the club, with many of them coming from outside the area.

This season, the 24-year old has continued that superb form, helping Leeds from -15 points at the start of the season to where they are now.

With 16 goals this campaign, Beckford is already the League's leading scorer and he has scored some crucial goals for the side, with his last coming in the 1-0 win against Crewe on Sky in mid-October.

Beckford possesses great pace and strength - he stands at six foot two inches tall - and he wears the number nine shirt for Leeds.

A move away from United had been rumoured for the striker, with Derby rumoured to be sniffing around for the player, but Beckford rejected any transfer talk in an interview on Sky Sports, committing himself to Leeds for the foreseeable future.

Around League One:

There are a number of important games this weekend, with Tranmere's trip to Leeds this weekend just one of them, as Rovers have the chance to move back into the play-offs should they win.

Rovers come into the game full of confidence following three consecutive wins, and a win would take them ahead of United, who lie in sixth place on 44-points, one point ahead of Ronnie Moore's side.

League leaders Swansea City, who are ten points clear of second placed Doncaster in League One, have a tough game against Oldham Athletic who beat Carlisle United on Tuesday night and have been in good form on the road in the last few months, including wins away to Tranmere, Leeds and Everton.

Another big game in the play-off and promotion race however is at Brisbane Road where Leyton Orient play Southend United. Southend are now three points and a place behind Tranmere whilst Orient are a place and a point ahead of Tranmere, so a draw would be ideal in this game for Ronnie Moore and his team.

Second placed Doncaster face a tough trip to Millwall and although Doncaster are second in the table, should results go against them they could have slipped as low as sixth come 5:00pm on Saturday, such is the tightness of the league table.

Fourth placed Walsall travel to fifth placed Carlisle with both teams knowing their place in the play-offs is under threat should they lose.

Carlisle have not been in good form recently whilst Walsall have rocketed up the table under Richard Money and they will be expecting at least a point on Saturday.

Team News:

Ronnie Moore will once again be without wingers Chris Shuker and Steve Davies who have both been long term absentee's with knee problems, although it has been announced that both could return before the season is out. Otherwise, Moore has a pretty much full strength squad to choose from, with only Chris Greenacre (thigh) a doubt after he failed to come off the substitute's bench in the last two games.

Jones' Prediction: Leeds United 1-2 Tranmere Rovers

Leeds United have not been in good form recently and surely Tranmere can have no better chance of beating the former Champions of England.

United come into the game having recently lost 1-0 away to Southend on Tuesday night, a match that will have taken a lot out of them as this was not only a long trip but the end of a couple of traumatic days at the club following the departure of Dennis Wise to Newcastle.

Gary McAllister was appointed as the new Leeds boss midweek and he takes charge of the team for the first time but the loss of the influential Wise will surely be a big blow to the team.

Ronnie Moore will have his side up the game and the players also will be highly motivated for a game that, in the context of league positions, is huge.

If the Rovers midfield and defence can work as it has done over the last three games, and the likes of Zola and Myrie-Williams can continue the fine form they have shown over the last few matches then Rovers surely will have a good chance of winning this game.

Tranmere are expected to take over 1500 fans to the game which will be a boost the team, with the fans likely to be as vocal, if not louder, than they have been all season.

Against the hostile Leeds crowd the Rovers fans may be a great aid to the players, and let's hope they can help cheer the Wirral side on to victory by the end of the match.