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Whoever wins the game will be top of League One over the weekend, as only one point seperates the top two after nine games, whilst if Forest get a creditable draw on the Wirral, they will top the table by a point.
Nottingham Forest Team Profile:
Formed: 1865
Ground: The City Ground
Manager: Colin Calderwood
Nickname: The Tricky Trees
Season Finish 2005/06: 7th (Coca-Cola League One)
Previous Meetings:
Tranmere Rovers failed to score against Nottingham Forest last season, with the two sides meeting twice in League One, and the midlands club winning on both occassions.
At the City Ground on October 1st, current Tranmere player Gareth Taylor scored the only goal of the game after 70 minutes after coming off the substitutes bench only minutes earlier.
This defeat left Tranmere in the bottom five after twelve games, having picked up just 13 points, and having not won in six.
Seven months later, the two teams met again, this time at Prenton Park. However, the venue or the date (15th April) didn't make a difference, as Forest won again, 1-0, thanks to a goal from ex-Rochdale striker Grant Holt.
Vital Stats:
In 17 matches against Nottingham Forest, Tranmere have failed to score six times
Four out of eight meetings between the two sides at Prenton Park have ended all square
Tranmere and Nottingham Forest met at Prenton Park on 23rd September 2002 in the League Cup, when Forest won 4-1 on penalties after the game ended 0-0 following extra-time
Tranmere and Nottingham Forest have only ever met 12 times in the league
The two sides didn't meet in the league between 4th February 1939 and 16th January 1994
The Form Book:
Tranmere Rovers First Four Home Games: WWWW
Nottingham Forest First Four Away Games: WWDW
Both sides brilliant starts to the season are reflected by their current league position and points tally after nine games. Forest occupy pole position whilst Tranmere are just one point behind them in second on 19 points.
Forest's away form this season has been very good, but then their form everywhere has been good so far this season!
On the opening day, Colin Calderwood's side got off to a great start this season as they won on the opening day win at home to Bradford (1-0), before winning two away games on the bounce at Blackpool (2-0) and Northampton (1-0).
heir next away game at the Galpharm Stadium, home of Huddersfield Town, saw them drop their first points of the season after four consecutive league wins as they drew 1-1 with the Terriors, before getting three points against Yeovil Town at Huish Park, thanks to a very late Grant Holt goal.
In fact, Calderwood's boys were on such a role and looking so good that from their first seven league games, they picked up 19 points, the same total as Rovers have now.
However, in their last two games, Forest have come unstuck, with firstly a 2-0 defeat to Oldham Athletic and then a 0-0 draw with Carlisle United, in which they missed a penalty, both at the City Ground.
Forest made an early exit in the Carling Cup, losing 1-0 against Accrington Stanley on their return to the football league, and Forest have now actually only won two of their last six games.
Tranmere mean while are on a fantastic run of form at Prenton Park under Ronnie Moore. Since the local-hero took over as boss at Prenton Park, Tranmere have played and won four home games, conceeded just one goals in the process.
An opening day win over Oldham Athletic (1-0) has been followed up by wins over Yeovil Town (2-1), Leyton Orient (3-0) and even the team Rovers never beat, Bristol City (1-0).
Rovers are in fact playing so well at Prenton Park, that even the goalkeeper is scoring, namely Gavin Ward with his 80-yard wonder strike against Leyton Orient in August.
On the road, Tranmere have been inconsistent so far, but a win at Northampton on Saturday moved them to just one point off Forest at the top.
Goals from Calvin Zola, Gareth Taylor and John Mullin secured Rovers their second away win of the season, just four days after a 2-1 defeat to Rotherham at Millmoor.
Tranmere's previous other three away league games saw them lose 1-0 at Whaddon Road against Cheltenham before drawing 0-0 with Doncaster and then beating Chesterfield 2-0, courtesy of an own goal and a 25-yard lob from Gareth Taylor.
Tranmere, like Forest, made an early exit in the Carling Cup, losing after extra-time to Hull City at the KC Stadium, after skipper Shane Sherriff had given The Super White Army the lead.
Team News:
Tranmere have a number of injury worries, with two midfielders definately out of the game. Paul McLaren and Danny Harrison will sit out the game with heal and ankle injuries, whilst it is not expected that Jason McAteer will feature after an operation on cartilage damage.
Ronnie Moore also has major doubts over front-man Chris Greenacre and 'skipper Shane Sherriff, but Kevin Ellison will be fit after his eye poking incident in the game at Sixfields on Saturday. Calvin Zola is also expected to be fit for the game after picking up a knock on Saturday.
For Forest, former Wycombe Striker Nathan Tyson is out until November at least, but Kris Commons returns to the squad along with former Manchester United defender John Curtis. Danny Cullip is out of the squad with a thigh injury.
Jones' Prediction: Tranmere 1-0 Nottm Forest
Prediction Special: It will be a tough game, one that each side is desperate to win, whilst at the same time, they are desperate not to lose. I'm sure Tranmere will play the same way as they have all season, as will Forest, but I wouldn't be surprised if a few defensive substitutes were to be made late on if things were still all square. Gareth Taylor is bound to have a good game against his former club, and who knows, maybe he'll get his first goal at Prenton Park, Tranmere have never lost when he's scored you know!
Tranmere will once again be looking for goals and insperation from John Mullin in the centre of midfield, whilst should he start, Calvin Zola will prove very hot to handle for the Forest defence.