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A win would put Rovers just two points behind United, who lie in seventh place and are desperate for a win after their embarrassing 1-0 defeat to non-League Histon in the F.A. Cup last weekend.
Leeds United team profile:
Formed: 1919
Ground:
Manager: Gary McAllister
Nickname: United
Previous Meetings:
It was a win for each side when the two teams met in Coca-Cola League One last season, with the away team winning both meetings between the two clubs.
Tranmere and Leeds first played on the opening day of the season, when Leeds travelled to Prenton Park for their first ever game in League One.
Tranmere took the lead in the match on 22-minutes as Chris Greenacre scored against the team he has been a lifelong fan of, stabbing home Chris Shuker's shot at the back post, with Shuker's effort going wide.
That, however, was as good as it got for Ronnie Moore's side, as despite being the better team for much of the game, they failed to convert their chances and Leeds made them pay.
On 55 minutes, Matt Heath equalised for United as the former Coventry defender headed home a Alan Thompson free-kick at the back post, before striker Tresor Kandol stole the win in the last minute for Leeds as he headed home a Frazer Richardson cross in front of the travelling army of Leeds fans.
It was a different story at Elland Road on February 2nd though, when Tranmere dominated from start to finish against a Leeds United side managed by Gary McAllister for the first time.
Rovers were superb, and after McLaren had hit the bar in the first half for Rovers, with Prutton doing the same for Leeds, Ronnie Moore's side came out in the second half and dominated.
It was just after the hour mark when Tranmere took the lead, as a long ball down the right wing by Stockdale was flicked on by Ian Moore to on-loan Jennison Myrie-Williams.
The pacey winger then proceeded to score the goal of his life, as with his first touch he headed the ball over Matt Heath before carrying the ball into the area, dragging to inside on to his left-foot with a touch that decieved several defenders, before firing the ball into the roof of the net.
A minute later, Rovers almost doubled their lead as Shane Sherriff heading goalwards from a McLaren free-kick, only for Lucas to pull off a superb save, before on 69-minutes Rovers did make it 2-0.
Again it was a McLaren free-kick that caused the danger, the midfielder sending a perfect ball into the penalty area, where an unmarked Ian Moore headed the ball home against his former club.
Nearly 2,000 fans travelled with the Super White Army, and they were in full voice as they saw their team record their fourth successive victory, with this one without doubt being the sweetest.
Vital Stats:
In three previous meetings at Prenton Park between Leeds and Tranmere, each side has picked up a win apiece
Four of the six meetings between these two sides have come in the cup competitions
Tranmere's 2-0 win over Leeds last season was their first League win over Leeds
In six meetings, Leeds have scored eleven goals to Tranmere's seven
There has never been a score draw between the two teams
On This Day:
2005: Brian Little's Tranmere put in a poor display and lose a Tuesday night match 2-1 at Barnsley, Delroy Facey grabbing a late concelation for Rovers
2003: Gary Jones scores the only goal as Tranmere are somewhat fortunate to beat Hornchurch 1-0 in the F.A. Cup Second Round
1997: Rovers draw 1-1 at home to Ipswich Town
Tranmere have played thirteen previous fixtures on December 6th, picking up just three wins to go with four draws and six defeats. In those thirteen games, they have scored nineteen goals and conceded 25.
The Form Book:
Tranmere last six home games: WDWWWW
Leeds last six away games: LLWLWL
Tranmere Rovers couldn't come into this game with much better form at Prenton Park, having won five out of six on home soil and picked up ten of an available twelve points in their last four home league games.
Ronnie Moore's side started their six match sequence with a 2-0 win over Cheltenham Town, before beating Crewe Alexandra three days later by the same scoreline at Prenton Park.
Rovers then completed two cup wins at Prenton Park, firstly beating Morecambe 1-0 in the Johnstone's Paints Northern Section Quarter Final, before beating another League Two side, Accrington Stanley, by the same scoreline in an F.A. Cup First Round replay that was shown live on Setanta Sports.
Tranmere then drew 2-2 with Southend United in League One, with individual errors costing Tranmere dearly as they twice led the game, but they returned to winning ways next time out at Prenton Park, beating high-flying Scunthorpe United 2-0 thanks to goals from Edrissa Sonko and Ryan Shotton.
Other impressive results at Prenton Park for Tranmere this season include wins over Hartlepool United (1-0) and Northampton Town (4-1).
Tranmere have played nine home league games so far this season, picking up sixteen points from an available 27, thanks to five wins, a draw and three defeats. They have also won four out of four 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 27 an available 54 points in their opening 18 games, thanks to eight wins, three draws and seven defeats.
After Gary McAllister's Leeds United excellent start to the season, which saw them in third place by the end of September, results have been much harder to come by of late, with United having won just two of their last nine away games.
Their six match sequence started with a 1-0 defeat at Southend United, before four days later they won 1-0 at Cheltenham thanks to an early goal from Becchio.
A 2-1 defeat at Derby County in the League Cup followed, before Leeds tasted away success in the F.A. Cup, beating Northampton Town 5-2 with Jermaine Beckford scoring a hatrick.
However, Leeds have lost both their away fixtures since that F.A. Cup win, starting with a 2-1 defeat at Northampton in the League, before non-League Histon beat Leeds 1-0 in the F.A. Cup Second Round.
Other impressive away results for Leeds this season include wins at Scunthorpe United (2-1), Swindon Town (3-1) and Carlisle United (2-0).
Leeds have played nine away league games so far this season, picking up thirteen of an available 27 points thanks to four wins, a draw and four defeats.
Notable results at Elland Road for Leeds this season include the defeats of Crystal Palace (4-0) in the League Cup and league wins over Crewe (5-2), Brighton (3-1) and Hartlepool (4-1).
United come into this game in seventh place in the League One table with 32 of an available 54 points from their opening 18 games, thanks to ten wins, two draws and six defeats.
Double Hit:
Former 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
Sherriff however failed to ever make an appearance for the
The only time Sherriff tasted first team football whilst at Leeds was when on loan at
Due to the clubs financial crisis, Sherriff was released by Leeds in the summer of 2003 and he moved to
After three years of football in
Sherriff stayed at Prenton Park for the duration of that two-year deal, playing mainly on the left for Rovers, at both left-back and then, in his second season, at left-midfield, as well as a few appearances at centre-back.
He captained Tranmere in his first season with the club and became renowned for his aerial ability in the opposition area, as he has scored eight goals for Tranmere in his two seasons with the club, the majority of them from set-pieces.
By the end of the 2007/08 season, Sherriff had made 97 appearances for Tranmere, missing very few games in his time with the club, but he rejeced a new deal in favour of a move to League Two side Shrewsbury.
The Australian has been impressive for the Shrews so far this season, making seventeen appearances and scoring three goals, with Shrewsbury winning every game he has scored in.
The 26-year old has also represented his country, playing for
One To Watch: Luciano Becchio
Leeds United have several key players out, including striker Beckford and midfielders Delph and Robinson, so the task of picking a "One To Watch" is made somewhat easier.
The one to watch for this game therefore is free-scoring striker Luciano Becchio, who has been in fine form since his summer move to the club.
Aged 24, Argentinian Becchio started his career in his home country with Boca Juniors before a move to Spain with Real Mallorca.
He then went on to play for Granada 74 (loan), netting three times in sixteen appearances for the club, before joining Terressa FC in 2005 and a year later FC Barcelona Atletic.
However, wherever he went, Becchio just couldn't hit form. That was until he joined Merida UD on loan in the 2006/07 season.
During his loan spell, Becchio scored five times in twelve appearances, enough to convince the club to sign him permanently.
His form went from strength to strength as he scored 22 goals in 38 games for the club over the course of the 2007/08 season, form which prompted Leeds to come sniffing.
After a successful trial with the Yorkshire club, Becchio signed a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee in August 2008.
The long, blonde-haired striker has so far made 27 appearances for the club, netting eleven goals, including eight goals in eighteen league appearances.
Wearing the number ten shirt for Leeds, Becchio is over six foot tall, good in the air, quick and has a natural eye for goal. United have only lost one of the league games he has scored in.
Around League One:
Tranmere Rovers lie ninth in League One before this weekends fixtures, although they cannot move up the table with a win this weekend. They are four points behind Stockport and five behind Leeds, the two clubs directly above them, whilst Scunthorpe, who hold the final play-off place, have a further point advantage.
Leeds United though will be desperate for a win that would lift them back into the play-offs and up to as high as fourth in the table if results go their way.
At the top of the table, Leicester City, a point clear of MK Dons, host eleventh placed Southend United this weekend and will be looking to extend their gap over MK Dons, who are at home to sixth placed Scunthorpe in the pick of the weekends games.
Third placed Millwall, a further point off the top of the table, host Birstol Rovers, who take on Tranmere next weekend at the Memorial Ground, whilst fifth placed Peterborough, Tranmere's F.A. Cup opponents on Tuesday night, could do Rovers a favour away to Stockport County, where a draw would be Tranmere's result of choice.
At the other end of the table, 24th placed Crewe host Martin Allen's Cheltenham, who are 23rd in the table, in what is already a six-pointer.
Team News:
Tranmere welcome back Craig Curran to the first team squad, with the striker, who has scored two goal this season, not having played a match since September due to injury. However, Rovers are without Chris Greenacre and Danny Holmes, who are both injured, although Chris Shuker returns to the squad after missing the last two games with flu.
Ryan Shotton has returned to Stoke after his loan spell came to an end, meaning defender John Johnson, on-loan from Middlesbrough, is set to make his Rovers debut, whilst another on-loan player, Mark Wilson, returns to the squad after Doncaster did not permit him to play in the F.A. Cup last weekend.
Ronnie Moore could continue with the 4-4-2 formation that saw Tranmere beat Scunthorpe United in their last home match, with one of Terry Gornell or Craig Curran partnering Bas Savage in attack.
Jones' Prediction: Tranmere 2-1 Leeds United
Poor form of late has seen Leeds United slip down the table, and this culminated in them dropping out of the play-offs in their last league game, before losing to Histon in the F.A. Cup in their last outing.
Tranmere though will be hoping that they can inflict more problems on Leeds boss Gary McAllister, as they go in search of another home win.
In the past couple of months, Tranmere have made Prenton Park a very difficult place to visit, beating Scunthorpe United and drawing with Southend United.
Whilst a 4-5-1 formation has made it very difficult for teams to score against them, the 4-4-2 has also helped Tranmere score goals, and it is the latter formation that Ronnie Moore is expected to go with this Saturday.
That being the case, we should be in for an exciting match. Rovers have the ability to beat Leeds, especially with the players United are missing, and with Craig Curran returning to the side, Tranmere now have more goals in their squad.
Rovers need to attack Leeds from the off, take the game to the Yorkshire visiters, and prove that they are a team who are capable of earning promotion at the end of the season.
Leeds have a lot of goalscorers missing, but Ian Goodison and Ben Chorley still need to be on the top of their game at the back, whilst full-backs Taylor and Johnson must be willing to get forward and help Tranmere in attack.