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It is fair to say that these two sides have had different starts to the season. Hartlepool have had a blistering start to the season, with a 100% win record, whilst Tranmere have started dissapointingly in their opening two games, having a 100% record of a quite different kind, and they will be looking to turn that around this weekend.
Hartlepool United team profile:
Formed: 1881
Ground: Victoria Park
Manager: Danny Wilson
Nickname: The Monkey Hangers
Season Finish 2006/07: 15th (Coca-Cola League One)
Previous Meetings:
Tranmere Rovers and Hartlepool United were both in Coca-Cola League One last season, and each picked up home wins against the other during the last campaign.
The two sides first met at Victoria Park in December on a cold Tuesday night, and they picked up a thoroughly dissapointing 3-1 defeat as defensive errors cost them dearly.
Rovers endured a terrible start to the game, as within just three minutes, Gary Liddle had given Hartlepool the lead, capitalising on some sloppy and hesitant Tranmere defending as he smashed home from just inside the area before just eight minutes later, James Brown doubled Hartlepool's goal count for the night, easing his way past Andy Taylor and into the penalty area before shooting across Coyne and into the back of the net.
Before the break, Tranmere should have pulled one back as Mike Jones managed to put a simple chance wide as he was caught in two minds when deciding where to put his shot, but after half-time, Ronnie Moore's side did get on the score sheet, with Shane Sherriff curling in a wonderful 25-yard free-kick on 54-minutes.
After this, Tranmere could have levelled as Ben Chorley saw his perfect header cleared off the line and Rovers appeared to be back in the game, but a weak back-pass from Taylor put Danny Coyne in trouble and allowed Joel Porter to pick up the ball, find some luck in a tackle with Danny Coyne and then pick himself up to score, putting Hartlepool 3-1 up just before the hour mark and ending Tranmere's hopes of a come back.
That result was reversed though, somewhat fortuitously, at Prenton Park in March, when Tranmere picked up a more than lucky 3-1 win against the Monkey Hangers. Despite putting in a dreadful display, Tranmere came away with the points, keeping their play-off hopes alive.
Rovers took the lead on 36 minutes, as Chris Greenacre netted the re-bound after missing his initial penalty before Nelson scored an own-goal shortly after the hour mark.
Danny Wilson's side were back in the game on 71 minutes as Richie Humphries headed home before just a few minutes later, Tom Craddock missed a penalty for Hartlepool.
Rovers were to capitalise, as on 90 minutes, Shane Sherriff secured the win with his second goal of the season against The Monkey Hangers, heading home a McLaren free-kick.
Vital Stats:
In 57 home games against Hartlepool, Tranmere have picked up an impressive 39 wins and nine draws
The result of the first match when these two teams have met has been the same result as the second time around over the last three couplets of matches when these teams have met
Four of the last eight regular league games between these teams have ended 0-0
Rovers are undefeated in their last ten home games against Hartlepool, with their last defeat coming in the 1984/85 season, when Hartlepool beat Rovers
2-1 at Prenton Park
In their 57 home games against Hartlepool, Tranmere have impressively netted 136 times, conceding just 61 goals
On This Day:
2003: Tranmere and Hartlepool draw 0-0 at Victoria Park in Division Two
1980: Rovers draw 1-1 with Hereford United in Division Four
1978: A 2-1 means Tranmere go crashing out of the League Cup, losing 3-2 on aggregate to Wigan
In total, Tranmere have played just seven previous matches on August 16th, picking up one win, four draws and two defeats. They have however scored eight times and conceded on just seven occasions.
The Season So Far:
Hartlepool United: WW
Tranmere Rovers: LL
Hartlepool United have started the 2008/09 season on fire, scoring seven times in their opening two games and progressing to the Second Round of the League Cup in the process, where they were drawn against Premier League new-boys West Brom.
For 'Pool, pre-season included defeats to the likes of York City and Newcastle United, draws against Falkirk and Consett and a win against Morton, whilst signings such as Ritchie Jones from Manchester United and Alan Power from Nottingham Forest left Hartlepool fans with high hopes ahead of the new season.
Such hopes were to be fed on the opening day of the new campaign, when The Monkey Hangers picked up an excellent 4-2 win against recently relegated Colchester United at Victoria Park.
James Brown had Hartlepool two up by half-time before Bolland and Jones doubled the scoring after the break to give Danny Wilson's side a rather comfortable cushion.
Inevitably, this led to Hartlepool sitting back over the last few mintues, allowing Steven Gillespie, who joined Colchester for a record fee from Cheltenham Town, to score twice, but the damage had already been done.
More goals were to come at Victoria Park just a few days later when Hartlepool dismantled Scunthorpe in the League Cup, beating their League One rivals 3-0.
Again, Brown was on the scoresheet, as after the first half had been drawn 0-0, 'Pool scored three times in the second 45, with Brown netting the third goal after Porter had handed United the lead and then Foley had doubled the score by the 58-minute mark.
It's been a less than inspiring start to the season for Tranmere Rovers, as two confidence sapping defeats have left a number of Rovers fans struggling to keep their hopes of promotion success at the end of the season alive.
After an impressive pre-season, where Rovers managed to beat Championship side Blackpool 1-0 at Prenton Park and also were only defeated 1-0 by Liverpool at the same venue, Ronnie Moore's side have started the season in disasterous form with two bitterly dissapointing defeats.
Firstly, Rovers travelled to Swindon on the opening day of the season, and as is often the case at the County Ground, Rovers left empty handed after suffering a 3-1 defeat, with only a late concelation goal from Bas Savage getting Rovers on the score sheet.
The League Cup first round followed on Tuesday night, and Rovers were handed a tricky away trip to Blundell Park where they faced Grimsby.
Tranmere though were unlucky in this game, as they hit the workwork on three occasions, whilst Town 'keeper Phil Barnes made some stunning saves in the Mariners goal to keep a clean sheet.
Rovers were to lose the game 2-0, with mistakes in defence costing them dearly as Grimsby scored in either half, firstly courtesy of a James Hunt header after a terrific initial save by John Achterberg, before Antony Kay scored an own-goal on 54 minutes to seal Rovers' exit from the competition.
Double Hit:
Tranmere currently have two players on their books who played for Hartlepool United last season in the form of striker Ian Moore and defender Godwin Antwi.
20-year old Antwi was born in Ghana, but holds a Spanish passport after beginning his career with Real Zaragoza in Spain.
In August 2005, he joined Liverpool as a promosing youngster, but is yet to make an appearance for the Merseyside giants. However, Antwi was an integral part of the 2006 Liverpool F.A. Youth cup winning side, along with Tranmere's midfielder Charlie Barnett.
At the end of the 2006/07 season, Antwi spent time on loan at Accrington Stanley when he made nine appearances before joining Hartlepool United on a season long loan for the 2007/08 campaign.
Playing mainly at centre-back, but also out of position at right-back, Antwi made 34 appearances for Hartlepool, scoring just once in a 2-1 win over Doncaster, Antwi's number of appearances were limited whilst at Victoria Park due to injury.
In July 2008, Antwi joined Tranmere Rovers on loan until January 2009. However, the judges are still out on the giant defender, as poor displays, both at right-back, against Swindon and Grimsby have led to many fans questioning the players ability.
One To Watch: James Brown
He may not be the Godfather of soul, but this James Brown has still started the season on fire, having netted three times in his opening two games.
The youngster is a product of the Hartlepool youth system and over the past 12 months, he has really begun to show his potential as a footballer, putting in some excellent performances both up front and on the wing.
Aged 21, Brown made his debut for Hartlepool during the 2005/06 season, a year in which Hartlepool were relegated to League Two, with all four of Brown's appearances that year coming in the final month of the season and indeed on the final day of that season, Brown scored his first Hartlepool goal in a 1-1 draw with Port Vale.
In total, this exciting young player has played 89 games for Hartlepool, with eighteen of those appearances coming from the subsitutes bench. In those games, he's managed to net 23 goals, twelve of which came last season.
Wearing the number 14 shirt for the Monkey Hangers, Brown has plenty of pace and is a good, powerful finisher from both inside and outside the penalty area.
Around League One:
League One enters it's second round of fixtures this weekend, and there will be many teams looking to get their first win of the campaign, with others looking to maintain their good early season form.
Whilst Tranmere entertain table-topping Hartlepool, second placed Northampton are away to Milton Keynes Dons after their impressive opening day win over Chelteham.
Big boys Leicester City and Leeds United are away to Stockport County and at home to Oldham Athletic, whilst Southend United travel to Millwall and Carlisle United entertain Crewe Alexandra, who suffered a last minute 2-1 defeat to Brighton last weekend.
Peterborough United and Hereford also have their first home games since returning to League One as they face Leyton Orient and Yeovil Town.
Team News:
Once again, there are several injury doubts for Ronnie Moore ahead of this game. Whilst the manager will be delighted to see Ian Goodison return from suspension, he is still sweating over the fitness of goalkeeper Danny Coyne who has missed the first two games of the season whilst Gareth Edds could also miss out yet again. Chris Shuker will once again sit out the match thanks to his troublesome knee injury, but Bas Savage could return from a virus for Rovers. Paul Henry sits out the final game of a three match ban after being sent off in pre-season against Morecambe.
Jones' Prediction: Tranmere Rovers 2-1 Hartlepool United
After Grimsby, it seems only a matter of time before Tranmere start scoring goals, and plenty of them. Ronnie Moore's side had plenty of chances in their 2-0 defeat against the Mariners, double the amount their hosts had, but were guilty of failing to hit the target enough, with Sonko the main offender.
It is probable that the 4-3-3 formation will be more effective at Prenton Park than away from home. At home, Tranmere will be able to attack against more defensive minded sides, and hopefully will be able to produce the free-flowing football that they showed against Blackpool.
Away from home though, Rovers leave themselves more open to attack, and with a narrow midfield, the full-backs are left unprotected, which has been a cause for some of the goals Rovers have conceded so far.
With Hartlepool more than likely looking to defend more away from home though, this should be a chance for Rovers to push forward and get goals. They might concede one, or more, but they should out-score their opponents because of their attacking style of football.
It is key for Rovers that Bas Savage is back for this game, as without him, Tranmere have nobody to win the headers upfront, with the likes of Greenacre and Curran able to feed off the big-mans knock downs.
If Savage is available, and if the likes of O'Callaghan and Kay put in similar displays to Tuesday, then Rovers should be capable of beating their opposition this weekend.