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Rovers go into the game two points behind the Iron, meaning a draw or win would be enough for the home side to cement their place in the Top Six, but Tranmere will be going to Glanford Park all guns blazing, and with 1600 Rovers fans set to make the journey east to Lincolnshire, Scunthorpe could be in for a bit of a shock.
Scunthorpe United team profile:
Formed: 1899
Ground:
Manager: Nigel Adkins
Nickname: The Iron
Season Finish 2005/06: 23rd (Coca-Cola Championship)
Previous Meetings:
Tranmere and Scunthorpe have already met each other twice this season, playing in the League and the Johnstone's Paints northern section Semi Final within just two weeks of each other.
The league meeting at Prenton Park saw Tranmere come out on top, as Rovers dominated the game, picking up what was to be the first of six consecutive league wins on home soil.
Ronnie Moore's side opened the scoring just before half-time, as Edrissa Sonko out paced the Scunthorpe defence as he ran onto a Bas Savage flick-on, before cooly chipping the ball over former Tranmere goalkeeper Joe Murphy from the edge of the area.
Then, after a few nervous moments, Tranmere secured the three points in the 75th minute, when full-back Ryan Shotton broke into the Scunthorpe penalty area and finished from a tight angle, smashing the ball under Murphy and into the net.
Two weeks later at Glanford Park, Tranmere put in a similar performance but were to be frustrated as they were sent crashing out of the cup thanks to a 2-1 defeat.
The Iron took the lead midway through the half time, when Ben May powerfully headed a Ian Morris' free-kick into the top corner, out of Danny Coyne's reach, though there were few chances in the first 45 minutes.
After half-time however, Tranmere dominated, and it was no surprise when Ian Moore levelled for Tranmere in the 53rd minute, smashing home a half volley from a tight angle outside the penalty area, a goal that was to win Goal of the Week on Sky Sports News.
Kay, Greenacre and Chorley all came close for the visitors who pushed for that second goal, but disaster was to strike in injury time for Tranmere, who were cruelly knocked out of the competition as John Johnson, on loan at Prenton Park from Middlesbrough, knocked the ball into his own net after giving away a stupid free-kick on the touch line.
Vital Stats:
In 26 away games against Scunthorpe, Tranmere have picked up six wins and six draws
The last 25 meetings between these two sides have produced just one draw, a good omen for Tranmere who need a win to clinch their place in the play-offs
Three of the last six games between these two sides have ended in away wins
Tranmere have scored 32 goals in 26 trips to Scunthorpe, with the Iron netting on 48 occasions
In the past ten seasons, Tranmere have won their final match of the season four times
On This Day:
1992: Tranmere lose 2-1 at home to Oxford in Division Two
1990: In division three, Tranmere draw 0-0 with Northampton Town under the management of the great John King
1988: Rovers win 2-1 at home to Leyton Orient in Division Four
Tranmere Rovers have played fourteen previous fixtures on May 2nd, picking up five wins, two draws and seven defeats. They have however picked up three away wins in eight away matches on this day. In these fourteen fixtures, Tranmere have scored fourteen goals and conceded 22.
The Form Book:
Scunthorpe last six home games: WLLWWW
Tranmere last six away games: LWDWLD
Scunthorpe United's home record has, on the whole, been strong in recent weeks, and they come into this game having picked up four wins from their last six home matches.
They started their six match sequence with a 3-0 win over struggling Hereford United before beating another struggling side, Brighton and Hove Albion, 2-0 four days later.
A third consecutive home match then saw the Iron beat Colchester United 3-0, with striker Gary Hooper netting twice, taking his tally of goals to four in the last three, though he hasn't scored since.
In their next home match, which was a fourth consecutive home league game, the Iron suffered defeat a 2-1 defeat to Huddersfield Town, despite leading the game 1-0 early on.
Two home matches since have produced one win and one defeat for the Iron, starting with a 1-0 defeat to promotion chasing MK Dons, who are most likely to face Tranmere or Scunthorpe in the play-offs, before on Tuesday night Scunthorpe returned to form with a 3-0 victory over already relegated Cheltenham Town.
Other impressive home results for Scunthorpe this season include wins over Peterborough United (1-0), Millwall (3-2), Oldham Athletic (2-0) and Hartlepool United (3-0).
The Iron have played 22 home games this season, and picked up 43 of an available 66 points, thanks to thirteen wins, four draws and five defeats.
Notable away results for Nigel Adkins' side this season include victories against Stockport County (3-0), Brighton and Hove Albion (4-1), MK Dons (2-0) and Millwall (2-1).
Scunthorpe United come into this game in sixth place in League One, having picked up 75 of an available 135 points from their 45 games, thanks to 22 wins, nine draws and fourteen defeats.
Tranmere's last six away games have shown that they are beginning to find the form capable of finishing in the top six, though if they don't pick up a win in this fixture against Scunthorpe it will all mean very little.
The Prenton Park outfit started their six match sequence with a 1-1 draw at Northampton Town, Bas Savage scoring the Tranmere goal, though Rovers could have quiet easily won the game.
However, just a ten days later Tranmere suffered a hugely disappointing 1-0 defeat at the hands of Cheltenham Town, David Bird the scorer of a spectacular 20-yard effort in the opening five minutes that was enough to win the game.
Rovers then travelled to Boundary Park to take on Oldham four days later and rose to the occasion, with over 1,000 Tranmere fans singing Rovers on to victory, as Charlie Barnett and Ian Moore scored to give Rovers a 2-0 win, before a week later Tranmere headed south for the Withdean Stadium, where they picked up a 0-0 draw with struggling Brighton and Hove Albion.
Over the Easter period, Tranmere then beat Walsall 1-0, a fantastic result at Bas Savage scored a late winner for Tranmere, before a week later Rovers' play-off ambitions suffered a little blow as they lost 3-1 at Elland Road against Leeds United.
Other impressive away results for Tranmere this season include wins over Colchester United (1-0), Huddersfield Town (2-1), Carlisle United (2-1) and Leyton Orient (1-0).
From 22 away games this season, Tranmere have picked up 23 of an available 66 points, thanks to six wins, five draws and eleven defeats.
Notable results at Prenton Park for Tranmere this year include wins over Leicester City (2-0), Scunthorpe United (2-0), Leeds United (2-1) and Carlisle United (4-1).
Rovers come into this game with 73 of an available 135 points from their 45 games, having picked up 21 wins, ten draws and fourteen defeats, meaning they lie seventh in the League One table.
Double Hit:
Current Scunthorpe United goalkeeper Joe Murphy started his career at Prenton Park, rising the clubs youth system and going on to appear in the League Cup final for the club.
A full Irish international, The goalkeeper broke into the Tranmere team when John Aldridge was manager and over four seasons with the club he managed to make 75 league and cup appearances for the Super Whites before joining West Brom on a free transfer in July 2002.
On his West Brom debut, Murphy saved a Michael Owen penalty, yet despite this, he failed to ever break into the team, making just seven appearances over a three year spell with the Baggies, something that without doubt stiffled his career.
After a loan spell at Walsall during the 04/05 season, Murphy joined Sunderland on a free-transfer, yet here he didn't make a single appearance and again he joined Walsall on loan, making a total of 43 appearances for the Saddlers over his two loan spells at the Bescott Stadium.
In May 2006, Murphy joined Scunthorpe United on a free transfer and he has been their number one choice goalkeeper ever since.
Helping the club into the Championship with a string of fine performances during the 2006/07 season, Murphy has been a huge hit at Glanford Park, so far making 148 appearances for The Iron.
Standing at over 6 foot tall, Murphy, who still has many friends at Prenton Park, is a fine goalkeeper for a League One side, and has one full cap for Ireland to his name.
Other players to have represented both clubs recently include currently Scunthorpe manager Nigel Adkins, who is a former Tranmere goalkeeper, and current Sheffield Wednesday utility player Richard Hinds, who started his career at Tranmere before moving to Scunthorpe via Hull.
One To Watch: Gary Hooper
Free-scoring striker Gary Hooper joined Scunthorpe United in the summer for £175,000 from Southend United, where the striker had failed to make an impression.
He started his career with Grays in Non-League football before joining Southend on a free transfer in time for the start of the 2006/07 season.
However, Hooper never found his feet at Southend, making 44 appearances for the club, although well over half of them were from the substitutes bench, scoring four times.
He also spent time out on loan with Leyton Orient and then last season at Hereford, where Hooper was very successful, netting eleven times in nineteen games, enough to convince Scunthorpe to splash the cash on the payer.
Joining Scunthorpe, Hooper had big boots to fill, with the likes of Billy Sharp and Andy Keogh having played for the club in the last few years.
Hooper has however filled those boots, or perhaps that should be filled his boots, having played 53 games and scored 30 for the club since his big money move in July.
Wearing the number ten shirt for Scunthorpe, striker Hooper, who can also play in midfield, is just twenty-one years old and there is most definately plenty more to come from a player who is already setting League One alight with his form this season.
He is quick and although not tall, this doesn't effect his game, as Hooper is a very good finisher from inside the area whilst he will work tirelessly all game.
Around League One:
To Tranmere and Scunthorpe fans, there are not many things that matter in the League this Saturday, other than this fixture.
Both teams will be hoping to pick up the result that they need to claim their place in the top six and earn their chance to play for promotion in the end of season Play-Offs.
A win for Tranmere will be what is needed to ensure they finish sixth, as they come into the game in seventh place and two points behind Scunthorpe, whilst The Iron know a win or a draw will earn them a sixth placed finish.
At the very top of the table, Leicester have already been crowned Champions, and Peterborough promoted from second place, but any of three clubs could finish in third place.
MK Dons currently hold the place, and they know a win away to relegated Hereford will be enough to secure third place and a play-off game against either Tranmere or Scunthorpe.
Millwall, fourth and a point above fifth placed Leeds, travel to Carlisle whilst Leeds themselves are at home to Northampton. Should Millwall lose and Leeds at least draw, they will finish above the Lions due to their better goal difference.
At the foot of the table, Cheltenham and Hereford have already been relegated, but there are still two relegation places to be decided, and these could go to any two of six teams.
Crewe and Carlisle are currently in 22nd and 21st place in the table on 46 and 49 points, but there are four teams, Stockport, Hartlepool, Northampton and Brighton, between 17th and 20th, who are seperated by just one point, on 50 and 49 points.
Crewe and Carlisle though have tough games against Leicester and Millwall, games in which victory is unlikely, and they need at least a win to give them any chance of survival.
The other four relegation threatened sides see Stockport travel to Brighton, in what could be a crucial game, whilst Hartlepool travel to Brighton Rovers and Northampton travel to Leeds.
Scunthorpe United Team News:
On-loan winger Henri Landsbury, at the club from Premier League side Arsenal, is set to miss the game due to an injury picked up during the sides 3-0 win over Cheltenham Town on Tuesday night.
However, otherwise manager Nigel Adkins should have a full squad at his disposal, though defender David Mirfin faces a late fitness test after being carried off injury in the same game.
Key players Liam Trotter, Joe Murphy and Matt Sparrow are all set to return for this crucial match for the Iron, though Kevin Milne is likely to miss out.
Tranmere Rovers Team News:
Ronnie Moore will once again be without influential defender Ian Goodison, who sits out the third match of a four game ban following his second red card of the season for a silly tackle in Tranmere's 2-1 win over Hereford over the Easter period.
Striker Bas Savage will once again miss out due to an ankle injury, whilst Chris Shuker (arm) and Chris Greenacre (ankle) are also both unavailable due to injury.
However, some good news for Tranmere is that defender Ryan Shotton should be available despite picking up a hand injury in Rovers' 1-1 draw with Yeovil Town last weekend, though the on-loan Stoke man won't be able to take any throw-ins.
Jones' Prediction: Scunthorpe United 1-2 Tranmere Rovers
This will not be an easy game for Tranmere Rovers or Scunthorpe United, as both sides go in to this game knowing that only one thing will really do for either side, and that is victory.
Yes, Scunthorpe can earn their place in the play-offs with a draw, but they won't want to go into this game with that mindset, as it may only see them sit back and allow Tranmere to come onto them.
That though could be a very good thing for Rovers, especially as their defence will be missing key centre-back Ian Goodison. Rovers though need to be careful not to push too many men forward too early on, as they don't want to see their chances of victory capitulate in the opening 45 minutes.
Tranmere have the options available to them though to win the game. They have three strikers all capable of scoring goals in Moore, Curran and Gornell, whilst Josh MacAuley could also be included in the squad, whilst free-scoring midfielder Antony Kay has played a pivitol role for Tranmere this season.
He will need to dominate from attacking set-pieces, whilst Rovers need to have wingers Sonko and Barnett on the top of their games, as, for me, they are the key players to Tranmere playing well.
Final Word:
So this is it. This is what our season all comes down to. It's make or break time for both Tranmere and Scunthorpe. It's the time for the players to stand up and be counted, to show the fans what their made of, and show the footballing world, or at least League One, that they mean business and want to be playing Championship Football next season.
Tranmere have sold out their allocation of 1,600 tickets, though a good few hundred more fans are expected to travel to Scunthorpe on Saturday and sit or stand in the home end, as they hope to see their team clinch that final play-off place.
It will be loud and it will be a carnival atmosphere at Glandford Park, but come 3pm, there will be a nervous auror around the ground, as both sides begin the battle for sixth place.
Both sides will be going all out for it, and it is make or break time - this is where our season either gets very exciting, or is ended. But either way, Tranmere Rovers FC have had a fantastic season, and there is much more to come from this talented squad.
Be loud, be proud, cheer Tranmere on to victory. Enjoy the game.