For the third time in five games, Tranmere will welcome a team from Yorkshire to Prenton Park on Saturday, as Barnsley come a calling.
After a fifth 0-0 draw in seven games against Hartlepool on Valentines Evening, Brian Little and everybody involved with Tranmere will be hoping that they can up their game to earn the three points they need to get from every outing at Prenton Park.
Previous Meetings:
Tranmere have met Barnsley just once this season, at Oakwell on December 6th, although had they beaten Bradford in the F.A. Cup they would have faced the former Premiership club twice at Oakwell in the space of 4 days, as the F.A. Cup 2nd Round draw saw Barnsley vs. Bradford or Tranmere.
Back to subject, and when the two met at Oakwell in early December on a cold Tuesday night, Barnsley ran out 2-1 winners. Devaney (58) and Richards (77) (pen) gave Barnsley a 2-0 lead and although Delroy Facey got his fourth in four games in the 90th minute, Rovers couldn't bring any points back from Yorkshire.
Last season when the two clubs met, honours were shared on both occassions. At Oakwell in September the two sides drew a rather boring game 0-0 (where have I heard that before?) whilst at Prenton Park the two sides drew 1-1 on Boxing Day.
The biggest win between the two sides was when Tranmere won 6-1 in November of the 1994/05 season but the most famous meetings between the two sides is probably one during Tranmere's famous run to the league cup final in the 1999/00 season. In the league cup fourth round, Tranmere thrashed Barnsley 4-0 to book a home tie with Middlesborough in the fifth round.
Vital Stats:
Barnsley have only ever won seven times at Prenton Park (27 meetings)
Tranmere have won 14 of 27 meetings between themselves and Barnsley at Prenton Park.
Barnsley have scored 32 goals at Prenton Park compared to Tranmere's 51 goals.
Barnsley haven't won at Prenton Park since the season Rovers got relegated, 2000/01. There have been three meetings since.
Against Tranmere, Barnsley average 1.55 goals per game compared to Tranmere's 1.30 goals per game (in 53 matches).
The Form Book:
Tranmere last 6 Home Games: WWDDWD
Barnsley last 6 Away Games: LDLLWL
Despite a poor goalless draw with Hartlepool in midweek, Rovers maintained there 11 match unbeaten and are now six home games without defeat in the league. The last home defeat coming against Brentford on Saturday December 17th when Rovers when defeated 4-1.
In this six match unbeaten home run, Rovers have defeated Rotherham (3-2) and Huddersfield (2-1) and will be hoping to make it three straight victories over Yorkshire opposition at Prenton Park.
However, also in this six match run are three draws, all of them 0-0, vs. Hartlepool (most recently), Southend and Bournemouth. I'd prefer this not to happen again.
Barnsley meanwhile have won just one of their past five away games. The win came against Nottingham Forest (2-0) but the run has also included defeats against teams around Tranmere in the table, Doncastor and Walsall (both 2-0) and Port Vale (3-2) whilst the draw came against Chesterfield (0-0).
So, if this says anything to me, it's that Barnsley struggle against teams placed lower down in League One. Their away performances really aren't their forte, although they are strong promotion contenders due to superb Home Form.
I expect Barnsley will bring a big following to Birkenhead, which could meen a Tranmere win. Rovers always seem to do well at Prenton Park when their opposition brings a big away following.
Such occasions this season are Huddersfield (2-1), Rotherham (3-2) and Oldham (4-1). Hopefully, if Barnsley bring a big away following, like I expect them too, the trend will continue!
Jones' Prediction: Tranmere 1-0 Barnsley
Top 15:
This week Gillis, a Barnsley fan takes on our Top 15.
After a fifth 0-0 draw in seven games against Hartlepool on Valentines Evening, Brian Little and everybody involved with Tranmere will be hoping that they can up their game to earn the three points they need to get from every outing at Prenton Park.
Previous Meetings:
Tranmere have met Barnsley just once this season, at Oakwell on December 6th, although had they beaten Bradford in the F.A. Cup they would have faced the former Premiership club twice at Oakwell in the space of 4 days, as the F.A. Cup 2nd Round draw saw Barnsley vs. Bradford or Tranmere.
Back to subject, and when the two met at Oakwell in early December on a cold Tuesday night, Barnsley ran out 2-1 winners. Devaney (58) and Richards (77) (pen) gave Barnsley a 2-0 lead and although Delroy Facey got his fourth in four games in the 90th minute, Rovers couldn't bring any points back from Yorkshire.
Last season when the two clubs met, honours were shared on both occassions. At Oakwell in September the two sides drew a rather boring game 0-0 (where have I heard that before?) whilst at Prenton Park the two sides drew 1-1 on Boxing Day.
The biggest win between the two sides was when Tranmere won 6-1 in November of the 1994/05 season but the most famous meetings between the two sides is probably one during Tranmere's famous run to the league cup final in the 1999/00 season. In the league cup fourth round, Tranmere thrashed Barnsley 4-0 to book a home tie with Middlesborough in the fifth round.
Vital Stats:
Barnsley have only ever won seven times at Prenton Park (27 meetings)
Tranmere have won 14 of 27 meetings between themselves and Barnsley at Prenton Park.
Barnsley have scored 32 goals at Prenton Park compared to Tranmere's 51 goals.
Barnsley haven't won at Prenton Park since the season Rovers got relegated, 2000/01. There have been three meetings since.
Against Tranmere, Barnsley average 1.55 goals per game compared to Tranmere's 1.30 goals per game (in 53 matches).
The Form Book:
Tranmere last 6 Home Games: WWDDWD
Barnsley last 6 Away Games: LDLLWL
Despite a poor goalless draw with Hartlepool in midweek, Rovers maintained there 11 match unbeaten and are now six home games without defeat in the league. The last home defeat coming against Brentford on Saturday December 17th when Rovers when defeated 4-1.
In this six match unbeaten home run, Rovers have defeated Rotherham (3-2) and Huddersfield (2-1) and will be hoping to make it three straight victories over Yorkshire opposition at Prenton Park.
However, also in this six match run are three draws, all of them 0-0, vs. Hartlepool (most recently), Southend and Bournemouth. I'd prefer this not to happen again.
Barnsley meanwhile have won just one of their past five away games. The win came against Nottingham Forest (2-0) but the run has also included defeats against teams around Tranmere in the table, Doncastor and Walsall (both 2-0) and Port Vale (3-2) whilst the draw came against Chesterfield (0-0).
So, if this says anything to me, it's that Barnsley struggle against teams placed lower down in League One. Their away performances really aren't their forte, although they are strong promotion contenders due to superb Home Form.
I expect Barnsley will bring a big following to Birkenhead, which could meen a Tranmere win. Rovers always seem to do well at Prenton Park when their opposition brings a big away following.
Such occasions this season are Huddersfield (2-1), Rotherham (3-2) and Oldham (4-1). Hopefully, if Barnsley bring a big away following, like I expect them too, the trend will continue!
Jones' Prediction: Tranmere 1-0 Barnsley
Top 15:
This week Gillis, a Barnsley fan takes on our Top 15.
- Who are you, what’s your age and how long have you been supporting your club.
Gillis, 15, All my life
- What’s your best moment as a football fan of your club?
Division 1 play off final
- And the worst?
Relegation to League one
- Which player has been your all time favourite for your club?
Chris Morgan or Bruce Dyer
- And who is your current favourite?
Bobby Hassell
- What’s your favourite away ground in League one?
Galpharm Stadium,
- What has your form of late been like?
Same as always, inconsistent
- Who’s the “one to watch”?
Chris Shuker
- Do you have any youngsters to look out for?
Dale Tonge, Nathan Jarman, Scott Flinders
- What’s your biggest threat, as in corners, set pieces etc.
Poor at most set pieces
- At the start of the season, what was your predicted finish for the season?
8th – 12th
- Where do you see yourselves finishing now?
2nd – 7th
- Do you think either of Tranmere or your team will get relegated or promoted?
- Are you a little surprised by Tranmere’s performance so far this season?
Thought they would be up top 8
- Finally, your prediction for today’s game?
2 – 0 to
I'd like to thank Gillis for taking on Top 15 and wish Barnsley all the best for the weekend, aslong as they lose.