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The Lancashire club visit the Wirral after a dissapointing defeat at Oldham on Saturday, a result that they will be looking to bounce back from, whilst the game is also the first of four consecutive Tuesday night matches for Ronnie Moore's Tranmere.
Stockport County team profile:
Formed: 1893
Ground: Edgely Park
Manager: Jim Gannon
Nickname: The Hatters
Season Finish 2006/07: 4th (Promoted via Play-Offs) (Coca-Cola League Two)
Previous Meetings:
Tranmere and Stockport have already met once this season, with the two sides playing out a 0-0 draw at Edgely Park on a cold Tuesday evening in October.
Nearly 1000 Tranmere fans made the trip to Greater Manchester to watch their side extend their run of away games without a defeat to five, whilst a 0-0 draw also ensured that Ronnie Moore's men hadn't conceded in any of their last four games.
Each side had chances to win the game, with Danny Coyne having to save well from Dicker in the first half whilst the closest Tranmere came in the second period was from a stunning strike by midfielder Steve Jennings that produced a magnificent save from Forster.
The second half was an exciting affair and it only seemed a matter of time before one team broke the deadlock, but defences and goalkeepers continued to come out on top.
Danny Coyne made a number of stunning saves in the final quarter for Rovers, whilst at the other end Gareth Edds came close with a strike that was once again saved by Forster.
The closest either team came to scoring though was around the hour mark, when Thompson rattled the cross bar for Stockport with a powerful shot.
Late on, Andy Taylor was sent off for Tranmere as he picked up two yellow cards within the space of two minutes, firstly for obstruction and then only a few seconds later for a stupid tackle near the corner flag.
Vital Stats:
In 57 home matches against Stockport, Tranmere have picked up 32 wins and lost on just seven occasions
Three of the last six matches between these two sides have ended as draws
Tranmere have scored 111 goals in 57 home games against County
Only once before has there been two drawn league matches in one season between these sides
Just one of the last twenty meetings between these two sides have seen an away win
On This Day:
2004: Tranmere beat Stockport 3-2 at Prenton Park, with Ryan Taylor netting a hatrick for the Super Whites
2002: An F.A. Cup Fourth Round meeting with Cardiff produces a 3-1 win for Dave Watson's Tranmere, Rideout, Flynn and Koumas the Tranmere scorers
2001: In one of the most famous days in the clubs history, John Aldridge's Tranmere produced an F.A. Cup shock at Goodison Park as they beat Premier League Everton 3-0, with Steve Yates netting in either half as well as a Jason Koumas strike. The day has since been Christened "St Yates day" by Tranmere fans.
The Form Book:
Tranmere last 6 home games: WWWLWW
Stockport last 6 away games: LDLWDW
This season Tranmere's home form has been excellent, and the Prenton Park outfit come into this game with seven wins out of eight in their last eight league games.
Their six match sequence started with a superb 2-0 win over Scunthorpe United at Prenton Park, before Ronnie Moore's side came from behind to win 2-1 against another play-off rival, Leeds United.
A 2-1 F.A. Cup extra time defeat to Peterborough United was next up for Tranmere, with Peterborough scoring in injury time in the second half to take the game to extra time before netting late on to clinch the win.
However, Tranmere have won three successive home games since the Peterborough defeat, starting with a 1-0 win over Brighton thanks to an injury time winner from Antony Kay, before Kay was again on target in the dying moments of the game to claim Tranmere a 2-1 win over Walsall on December 28th.
Tranmere then continued their excellent home form last Saturday, when they handed out a 4-1 drubbing to an out of sorts Carlisle United, Ian Moore netting twice for Ronnie Moore's side.
Other notable home results for Tranmere this season include defeats of Hartlepool United (1-0), Northampton Town (4-1) and Crewe Alexandra (2-0).
Tranmere have played fourteen home league games so far this season, picking up 28 points from an available 42, thanks to nine wins, a draw and three defeats. They have also won four out of five home cup matches.
Impressive 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 40 an available 75 points in their 25 games, thanks to twelve wins, four draws and eight defeats.
Stockport's away form at the start of the season was superb, with the Hatters having the best away record in League One at one point . However, since November their form has dipped, whilst they have failed to win any of their last three on the road.
They started their six match sequence with a 3-0 win over struggling Crewe Alexandra, with Stockport scoring all of their goals after half-time, before County drew 0-0 at Gillingham in the F.A. Cup second round.
Stockport then beat Yeovil Town 4-2 in a high scoring game at Huish Park before losing 1-0 at the Bescott Stadium against Walsall, one of Jimmy Mullen's final wins as Walsall manager.
The Hatters then drew 1-1 at Swindon Town before in their most recent away game, which was last Saturday, Stockport lost 3-1 at Boundary Park against Oldham Athletic.
Other notable results on the road for Stockport this season include wins at Hartlepool United (1-0), MK Dons (2-1) and Hereford United (1-0).
The Hatters have played thirteen away games so far this season, picking up 22 of an available 39 points, thanks to six wins, four draws and three defeats.
Impressive home results for Stockport this season include wins against Oldham Athletic (3-1), Carlisle United (3-0), Southend United (3-1) and a 5-1 F.A. Cup first round win over Yeovil Town.
Jim Gannon's side lie in eighth place in League one, ahead of this fixture, picking up 41 points from an available 78 in their 26 games so far, thanks to eleven wins, eight draws and seven defeats.
Double Hit:
Former Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Sean Connelly started his career at local non League side Hallam, before moving into League Football with Stockport County in 1992.
Connelly stayed with Stockport for nine years and became a firm favourite at Edgely Park, playing for the club whilst they were in Division One.
He racked up 353 appearances for the Hatters in his nine years with the club, scoring eight goals in the process and becoming one of Stockport's favourite ever players.
In 2001, Connelly finally left Edgely Park, as the Sheffield born full-back joined Wolves in March 2001, initially on loan, before making the deal permanent in the summer.
Playing at right-back, Connelly made only fifteen appearances for Wolves in eighteen months with the club, before Tranmere manager Ray Mathias offered him a lifeline and a move back into First Team football at Prenton Park.
In October 2002, Connelly joined Tranmere Rovers and he stayed with the club for two years, playing under two different managers; firstly Mathias and then latterly Brian Little.
He made an impressive 82 appearances for the Prenton Park side in two years with the club, playing mainly at right-full back and wing-back, whilst also making a handful of appearances at centre-back.
Always a solid performer, Connelly may not have scored during his time at Prenton Park, but he impressed the Tranmere fans with his professionalism and consistent performances.
However, the emergance of youngster Ryan Taylor eventually meant that Connelly struggled to get into the Tranmere team, and in June 2004 he joined Rushden and Diamonds, with Shane Nicholson and Alex Hay also leaving Tranmere for the League Two club.
Connelly played 46 games for Rushden but only remained at the club for one season before retiring, aged 35, and joining Cardiff City as the clubs Physio.
One To Watch: Tommy Rowe
Young winger Tommy Rowe is a player who has been interesting plenty of Championship and Premier League clubs in recent seasons, as the twenty-year old continues to turn out impressive performances for Stockport.
Manchester born Rowe started his development with Manchester United before leaving the Premier League giants and joining boy-hood club Stockport County.
He progressed through the Stockport youth ranks and at the age of eighteen, he made his debut for the Hatters in an F.A. Cup defeat to Watford in January 2007.
Since, Rowe has gone on to become a vital player for Jim Gannon's side, and he starred as County won promotion via the play-offs from League Two last season, also winning the Stockport County young player of the year award for that season.
So far, the twenty-year old has made 48 games for Stockport and scored ten goals, of which four have come this season, with the winger most recently scoring in County's 1-0 win over Hereford at the weekend.
A very quick left-winger, Rowe, who wears the number 11 shirt for Stockport, has all the tricks in the book and is a very good crosser of the ball. He will consistently be a thorn in the side for Tranmere full-back Ryan Shotton, with his ability to score and excellent work rate helping to make him a very good player indeed.
One To Watch: Tommy Rowe
Young winger Tommy Rowe is a player who has been interesting plenty of Championship and Premier League clubs in recent seasons, as the twenty-year old continues to turn out impressive performances for Stockport.
Manchester born Rowe started his development with Manchester United before leaving the Premier League giants and joining boy-hood club Stockport County.
He progressed through the Stockport youth ranks and at the age of eighteen, he made his debut for the Hatters in an F.A. Cup defeat to Watford in January 2007.
Since, Rowe has gone on to become a vital player for Jim Gannon's side, and he starred as County won promotion via the play-offs from League Two last season, also winning the Stockport County young player of the year award for that season.
So far, the twenty-year old has made 63 games for Stockport and scored twelve goals, of which six have come this season.
A very quick left-winger, Rowe, who wears the number 11 shirt for Stockport, has all the tricks in the book and is a very good crosser of the ball. He will consistently be a thorn in the side for Tranmere full-back Ryan Shotton, with his ability to score and excellent work rate helping to make him a very good player indeed.
Around League One:
There is a full compliment of fixtures in League One this Tuesday night, with all 24 teams in action for the first time since the turn of the New Year.
Table topping Leicester City will be looking to extend their nine point lead at the top of League One as they host Brighton and Hove Albion, who are still looking for their first win of 2009, whilst second placed MK Dons will be looking to close that gap when they take on Leyton Orient at Stadium MK.
Third placed Oldham, who have 48 points and are three points behind the MK Dons, travel to fifth placed Scunthorpe in what is set to be one of the stand ouf fixtures of the evening, whilst fourth placed Peterborough host struggling Crewe, the team Tranmere take on this Saturday.
The other team in the play-offs, sixth placed Millwall, travel to 22nd placed Hereford United, and with a five point gap between themselves and seventh placed Leeds, who host Southend United, Millwall will be certain of a place in the top six come 10pm on Tuesday.
Elsewhere, there is a local derby at Whaddon Road where struggling Cheltenham Town, without a win since mid-Decemeber, host Bristol Rovers.
Team News:
Tranmere Rovers are once again without striker Chris Greenacre (ankle) and Craig Curran (stomach), although Bas Savage returns to the side after a one match ban for picking up five yellow cards. Ronnie Moore does have a selection dilemma however, as he is unsure as to weather or not he should bring Savage back into the side following Rovers 4-1 win at the weekend, or whether Ian Moore and Chris Shuker should continue up front.
Antony Kay will miss out after limping off at half time against Carlisle on Saturday, meaning Gareth Edds is set to start in midfield once again. Terry Gornell should also return to the side after missing Saturday's game with a knock picked up in training.
Jones' Prediction: Tranmere 2-0 Stockport County
Tranmere's home form has been superb over the last three months or so, and I expect that to continue on Tuesday night when they host Stockport at Prenton Park.
Rovers' 4-1 win over Carlisle at the weekend proved that they are capable of getting the big wins that have far too often avoided them since Ronnie Moore took over the club, whilst Ian Moore proved just how good a goalscorer he is, as his two goals made him Tranmere's leading scorer this year with seven goals.
With Moore facing his former club in this fixture, he will be keen to add to that tally on Tuesday evening and he formed a good partnership with Chris Shuker on Saturday that Rovers will be hoping they can continue this weekend.
On Saturday, Tranmere's main attacking threats were Moore, Shuker and Sonko, who were given plenty of space and able to run at the Carlisle defence, as well as getting the chance to run in behind it, which creates plenty of chances for the Rovers front line, whilst the passing of Charlie Barnett will once again be key, should be play.
With no Antony Kay in midfield, Gareth Edds has big boots to fill, should he start, although one option for Ronnie Moore would be to replace Kay with Savage, meaning Barnett would play in central midfield and Shuker on the wing.
Tranmere defence though will need to be stronger on Tuesday night. Individual errors were made on Saturday that could have led to goals, had the Carlisle attack been on form. Ryan Shotton will need to watch Tommy Rowe carefully, whilst Ben Chorley will need to be strong and vocal as they Tranmere captain.