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Brighton have had an indifferent start to the season and Rovers will be hoping to capitalise on that as they look to head into the Christmas period with some form behind them.
Formed: 1901
Ground: The Whitdean Stadium
Manager: Mickey Adams
Nickname: The Seagulls
Season Finish 2006/07: 7th (Coca-Cola League One)
Previous Meetings:
Each side defended well and chances were therefore few and far between, with defender Antony Kay in particular dominating at the back for Tranmere.
Brighton had a goal dissallowed on 33 minutes as Murray saw his effort chalked off for pushing whilst Tranmere came close ten minutes later as Andy Taylor's long range drive was well saved.
Coyne made a string of good saves in the second half, whilst Tranmere had strong claims for a penalty after Zola was brought down in the area waved away, as the game ended goalless.
Earlier in the season at Prenton Park, Tranmere picked up three points with a 2-0 win over Brighton in their second home game of the season.
After a drab first half, Tranmere finally took the upper hand on 78-minutes when striker Chris Greenacre netted his third of the season as he headed home a Chris Shuker cross at the far post.
Brighton tried to push forward and get an equaliser, but left themselves stretched at the back and in injury time Chris Shuker netted Tranmre's second, expertly chipping the ball over the on-rushing 'keeper and into the net from 35-yards.
The visiters finished the match with only ten men after defender Whing was sent off late on, whilst in action for Brighton that day was future Tranmere player Bas Savage.
Vital Stats:
Tranmere have lost just one of their last four games against Brighton
Rovers have kept three clean sheets in their last four matches against the Seagulls
The last eight games between these two sides have produced just eleven goals
In sixteen home matches against Brighton, Tranmere have picked up eight wins and three draws
Tranmere have played two and won two against Brighton in December meetings between the two sides
On This Day:
2005: Tranmere lose an incredibly LDV Vans Trophy match against Carlisle United, as, after the game had finished 0-0, Rovers lost the game 11-10 on penalties. 20 consecutive spot kicks were scored before goalkeeper Steve Wilson put his terrible effort well wide of the post
2003: A late Ryan Taylor penalty secures Tranmere a 1-0 win over Brighton in League One
1997: John Aldridge sees his Tranmere side lose 2-0 against his former club Oxford United at Prenton Park
Tranmere have played twelve previous fixtures on December 20th, picking up four wins and two draws as well as six defeats. They have scored fourteen goals and conceded twenty on this day.
The Form Book:
Tranmere last six home games: LWWDWW
Brighton last six away games: DDLLLL
Up to last week's dissapointing extra-time defeat to Peterborough United, Tranmere have been in excellent form at Prenton Park, and indeed Rovers have picked up thirteen of an available fifteen points in their last five home league matches.
Tranmere started their six match sequence with a 1-0 win in the Johnstone's Paints Trophy against Morecambe before beating Accrington Stanley in an F.A. Cup first round replay by the same scoreline.
Rovers then drew an exciting home game against Southend United 2-2, as Tranmere twice took the lead but were pegged back by Steve Tilson's side, before beating Scunthorpe United 2-0 at Prenton Park, Sonko and Shotton the scorers.
A 2-1 win over Leeds United followed as Tranmere came from behind to win the game courtesy of goals from Antony Kay and former Leeds player Ian Moore, before in their most recent home match Tranmere lost 2-1 after extra-time to Peterborough United in their F.A. Cup second round replay.
Tranmere have played eleven home league games so far this season, picking up nineteen points from an available 30, thanks to six wins, a draw and three defeats. They have also won four out of five home cup matches.
Notable away results for Tranmere include wins over Leyton Orient (1-0), Carlisle United (2-1) and Huddersfield Town (2-1).
Rovers come into this game in ninth place in the League One table, having picked up 30 an available 57 points in their opening twenty games, thanks to nine wins, three draws and seven defeats.
Brighton and Hove Albion come to Tranmere with a dreadful record in recent weeks, with Mickey Adam's side without a win in ten on the road and seven at all grounds.
The Seagulls started their six match sequence with four consecutive defeats, firstly losing 1-0 to Hartlepool United before, after five successive home matches, they lost 3-1 at Carlisle United.
Brighton then lost to Hartlepool again, this time in the F. A. Cup, losing 3-1 to the Monkey Hangers at Victoria Park in a first round replay, whilst they then suffered a fourth defeat in as many away games at Stockport, losing 2-0.
Two draws have since followed though, with Brighton firstly picking up a point at Oldham thanks to a Glen Murray strike, before in midweek they drew 0-0 with Shrewsbury Town in the Johnstone's Paints Trophy, losing the match on penalties.
Other notable away results for Brighton this season include wins at Crewe (2-1), Southend United (2-0) and a 1-0 over Northampton Town in the Johnstone's Paints Trophy.
So far this season, Brighton have played ten away league games, picking up two wins, four draws and four defeats, meaning they have achieved a total of ten from an available 30 points on the road. In three away cup ties, they have picked up a win, a draw and a defeat.
Impressive home results for Brighton, who started work on their new stadium this week, include wins over Leicester City (3-2), Millwall (4-1) and beating Manchester City on penalties in the League Cup after the game had ended 2-2 after extra time.
Brighton come to Prenton Park in 20th place in the League One table, having played twenty games, one more than most teams in the division, and picked up twenty of an available 60 points. They have achieved this thanks to four wins, eight draws and eight defeats.
Double Hit:
Current Tranmere striker Bas Savage started last season at Brighton before a mid-campaign move to Millwall and then joining Tranmere in pre-season.
Made famous for his moon-walking antics upon goalscoring, Savage started his career with Reading, where he made eighteen appearances and as well as failing to score, he failed to impress.
In 2005, after three years at Reading, in which time he also went out on loan to Wycombe and Bury, Big Bas joined Bristol City on a one-year contract, but just one goal in 23 games meant he was on the move again in September 2006, joining Gillingham on a free transfer.
Fifteen games at Gillingham provided just one goal and it was not until he moved to Brighton and Hove Albion in January 2007 that Savage really began to enjoy his football.
He scored ten times for the southern coast side in fourty-two games and became a firm fan favourite at the Withdean Stadium, not only because of his goal celebration, but because of his general love for the game, excellent hold up play and silky skills.
In February 2008, Savage joined Millwall on a free transfer but despite scoring twice in eleven games for the Lions, he was never a hit at the New Den liike he had been at Brighton, and in the summer he was released.
After a successful trial at Prenton Park, Savage signed for Tranmere in July 2008 and he has so far missed just one game for Tranmere this season as he has become an integral part of the team.
Making an impressive 27 appearances so far this season, Savage has scored just five goals, a record he needs to improve, and was recently offered an extra incentive to score this season, with manager Ronnie Moore saying that if Savage nets a hatrick, he will dye his hair the colour of Bas' choice.
One To Watch: Glen Murray
Former Rochdale forward Glen Murray was a big money signing for Brighton half-way through last season and has been a huge hit on the south coast.
Murray started his career with Carlisle but scored just six goals in 58 games [although he did only start eleven games] for the Cumbrians between 2004 and 2007.
Whilst at Carlisle, Murray spent two loans spells away from Brunton Park, firstly at Stockport in 2006, where he made eleven appearances and scored three goals and then Rochdale between October and January of the 2006/07, where he made fourteen appearances and scored four goals.
His form whilst at Rochdale was enough to convince Rochdale to sign the player and he signed for a nominal fee on January 4th 2007.
The six foot tall striker went on to make 46 appearances for the Spotland side and he formed a useful partnership with former Rovers player Chris Dagnall before Dagnall tore his cruciate knee ligaments not long into the 2007/08 season.
22 goals in those 46 was enough to convince Brighton to pay £300,000 for his services at the back end of January 2008 and Murray has continued that good scoring form from Rochdale at Brighton, netting 19 goals in 43 games for the club.
However, he has struggled for goals of late, netting just once in his last seven games, although he has scored eleven goals this season.
Murray, who wears the number 17 shirt for Brighton, is a natural finisher in front of goal and his natural pace and strength help him to get round the back of defenders. The 25-year old has the ability to score goals from both in and outside the area.
Around League One:
This weekend's League One fixtures start on Friday night, when Hartlepool United entertain Southend United in a twelfth vs. thirteenth place match. Southend can draw level on points with Tranmere should they win, whilst a win for Hartlepool would put them one point behind Rovers.
On Saturday, the pick of the League One fixtures is at the Walkers Stadium, where Leicester City, first, take on Peterborough United, fourth. Although there is a seven point gap between the two sides, this is sure to be an entertaining match as Leicester look to extend their lead at the top whilst Peterborough look to close the gap between themselves and the top two.
Second placed Millwall host struggling Crewe whilst at Stadium: MK, the MK Dons host Leeds United, with Leeds looking to pick up their first win after four successive defeats, a run that has seen them slip to eighth in the table, two points ahead of Tranmere.
Sixth placed Oldham host Leyton Orient who could fall back into the relegation zone with a defeat at Boundary Park whilst seventh placed Stockport County, who are now four points clear of Tranmere, host Bristol Rovers.
At the other end of the table, a West County derby takes place at The County Ground where Swindon host bottom four club Yeovil.
Team News:
Tranmere striker Chris Greenacre played the full 90 minutes against Scunthorpe on Tuesday night and so is expected to start again this weekend in a 4-4-2 formation. Craig Curran and Danny Holmes are both out injured for Rovers, but midfielders George O'Callaghan and Mark Wilson are both in contention for a place in the Tranmere sixteen. Gareth Edds could start at right-back whilst Edrissa Sonko could be replaced by Chris Shuker on the wing.
Jones' Prediction: Tranmere 3-1 Brighton
At home recently Tranmere have been excellent and, unlike their away games, goals have not been so hard to come by, with Rovers scoring two goals in each of their last five home league matches.
Ronnie Moore's side are expected to line up with a 4-4-2 formation, with Chris Greenacre and Bas Savage set to start up front and this formation will definately help Tranmere to score more goals.
Brighton come to Prenton Park in a low position in the league table and most certainly low on confidence, with only two away league wins all season, and no away wins in their last seven matches.
This is a definate chance for Tranmere to pick up three points and drag themselves closer the final play-off position, currently occupied by Oldham, who Tranmere are six points behind.
The game also gives Ronnie Moore's side a chance to improve their goal difference against a Brighton side who has been leaking goals in recent matches, especially on their travels, a weakness Tranmere will be looking to exploit.
Rovers must take the game to Brighton and look to attack their opposition from the off. Sitting back will only allow Brighton to come into the game, when if Tranmere could get an early goal it might well kill their visiters off for the remainder of the game.