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The game is almost meaningless, as although Tranmere still mathmatically have a chance of making the play-offs, their hopes of making it to Wembley or all but over whilst Brighton themselves languish in mid-table.
Brighton and Hove Albion team profile:
Formed: 1901
Ground: The Whitdean Stadium
Manager: Dean Wilkins
Nickname: The Seagulls
Season Finish 2005/06: 24th (Coca-Cola Championship)
Previous Meetings:
When Tranmere travelled to the south coast earlier in November, many fans were fearing the worst with Rovers without a win on road since mid-September.
However, a travelling Rovers faithful of 277 fans cheered their team on to a one goal victory over the Seagulls, their first ever win in three visits to The Withdean.
The only goal of the match was scored by Chris Greenacre in the first half. Tranmere's leading scorer pounced on a ball over the top by John Thompson before rounding two poor challanges and netting through the 'keepers legs.
Despite a nervy finish which saw Tranmere's opponents hit the woodwork on a number of occassions, Ronnie Moore's side heald on for one of their best victories this season.
Vital Stats:
In the last five meetings between the two sides, at least one team has kept a clean sheet
Rovers have won five out of 14 matches against Brighton at Prenton Park
In 29 meetings there have only been two 0-0 draws
Tranmere have lost their two most recent Easter Monday matches (vs. Colchester 1-0 and vs. Doncaster 4-2), having a player sent off in each game
Rovers are unbeaten in their last four matches on April 9th
The Form Book:
Tranmere last 6 home games: LLWDWD
Brighton last 6 away games: WDDWWL
Brighton are having a good run on the road of late, as they come in to the game unbeaten in their last five matches away from the Withdean Stadium.
Most recently, the Seagulls came away from Northampton with a 2-0 win, this following up consecutive draws against Blackpool (0-0) and Crewe (1-1).
Before the Crewe game, Brighton had won two on the bounce on the road, beating Gillingham 1-0 after a 4-1 thrashing of Leyton Orient, a game which saw five different goalscorers.
However, before the Leyton Orient game, Brighton had gone four games without a win (home and away) on the back of a 1-0 defeat against relegation threatened Brentford.
Other noteable away results for Brighton this season include wins over Huddersfield (3-0), Scunthorpe (2-1) and Chesterfield (1-0) in the league along with an 8- drubbing of Northwhich Victoria in the F.A. Cup.
From a total of 20 away games this season, Brighton have won nine, drawn three and lost eight. They have picked up a total of 30 points from an available 60.
In their last 23 games, Tranmere Rovers have picked up just six wins, and just four wins in the last 11 home league and cup matches.
Rovers have lost both their last home league games 2-0 against play-off chasing Swansea City and Carlisle, these on the back of a 2-0 win against Chesterfield.
Indeed in all of the last four games at Prenton Park, one team has netted on two occassions, with both teams finding the back of the net twice in a 2-2 draw for Rovers against Cheltenham before the Chesterfield match.
The other two games in the six match sequence saw Rovers get an impressive 1-0 win over another play-off chasing side in Doncaster Rovers, but ultimately it has been consistency (or just poor football) which will result in their season ending on May 5th as they drew 1-1 with Bradford City three weeks before the Doncaster win.
Ohter noteable results at Prenton Park for Rovers this season include wins over Bristol City (1-0), Yeovil Town (2-1), Blackpool (2-0), Millwall (3-1) and Doncaster Rovers (1-0).
From a total of 20 home games this season, Tranmere have picked up 38 points from an available 60 after 11 wins, five draws and four defeats.
One To Watch:
The man to watch from Brighton is moon-walking crowd favourite Bas Savage who signed from Gillingham in the January transfer window.
The Brighton number 34 started his career at Reading as a trainee, making his debut in 2002. However, he failed to score in 18 appearances for the Royals and in 2005 moved on to Bristol City after unsuccessful loan spells with Wycombe and Bury which saw him make nine appearances in total without scoring.
Whilst with Bristol City, where Savage signed on a free-transfer, the 6.03 striker finally managed to score his first goal, this coming against Scunthorpe last season, but with just one goal in 23 appearances, Savage moved on to Gillingham in September 2007.
Again, Savage was unsuccessful with the Gills, scoring just once (against Cheltenham) in 15 appearances but he did play in both of Ronnie Jepson's sides wins over Tranmere this season.
On January 31st 2007 Savage moved to Brighton on a free-transfer and has kick-started his career, scoring six times in 12 games, with each goal accompanied by his trade mark moon-walk celebration.
His height and pace makes him a constant threat to defenders, with his last goals coming in the 2-0 win over Northampton nine days ago, Savage scoring both goals.
Team News:
Tranmere will be missing no less than five players this Easter Monday after their game at Blackpool. With Paul McLaren (ankle) and John Achterberg (cruciate ligaments) already missing, Rovers will now also be without John Mullin and Jason McAteer who will both face three-match bans after being sent off at Bloomfield Road and also Carl Tremarco who was stretchered off with a hamstring injury in the first half. John Thompson is expected to be fit to play again, whilst Danny Harrison could start. Paul Henry and Craig Curran could also feature whilst Calvin Zola is expected to retain his place in the starting 11.
Jones' Prediction: Tranmere 2-0 Brighton