Should Rovers manage a win it would be just their second "double" (winning each game against a side) of the season, following their mid-week success at Swindon on Tuesday.
Previous Meetings:
Earlier in the season Rovers had their first away success of the campaign with a 2-0 win at Saltergate. Mike Jackson scored the opener with a header from a corner before Gareth Roberts scored the goal of the season so far with a free-kick from 35 yards and more which sailed straight into the top corner - the keeper had no chance.
Last season Rovers took four points from Chesterfield. A 1-0 win at Prenton Park on August 14th thanks to a Eugene Dadi goal made it two wins out of three whilst on March 26th Rovers drew 2-2 at Saltergate thanks to goals from Jackson to make it 1-1 and then Eugene Dadi making it 2-1 with four minutes but alas Rovers couldn't hold on.
Vital Statistics:
This will be the fifth straight season Rovers have played Chesterfield at Prenton Park
In 47 meetings at Prenton Park, Chesterfield have been highly successful, winning 15 games.
Chesterfield average 1.17 goals per game at Prenton Park, totalling 55 in 47 games.
Tranmere have won 23 out of 47 games between the two sides at Prenton Park
These two sides have never met in either the LDV Vans Trophy or the League Cup!
The Form Book:
Tranmere last 6 Home games: WDDWDL
Chesterfield last 6 Away games: DDDWLW
Tranmere's home form in the main has been pretty solid since Christmas. They have defeated Yeovil (4-1), Rotherham (3-2) and Huddersfield (2-1) at Prenton Park whilst the three draws were all 0-0 with Bournemouth, Southend and Hartlepool.
Rovers most recent home game, on February 18th (so not very recent!) ended in defeat, 1-0, to Barnsley thanks to a first half header from Heckingbottom.
They have in fact only conceeded four goals at Prenton Park since the turn of the year, two against Rotherham and one each for Huddersfield and Barnsley, this coming in six games, so their defence, in the main, has been strong.
It has been goalscoring that Rovers have found tough at Prenton Park. Much like Liverpool, they had the chances against Southend and Bournemouth (plenty of them) to win the game but failed to beat the 'keeper whilst they were just poor in general against Barnsley and Hartlepool, never really troubling either side's goalkeeper.
Chesterfield, worryingly, have been in good form away from Saltergate coming into this game. Depsite a slip up at Hartlepool on a Friday night in February, they have recorded some good away results.
Their last away game was won convincingly at Rotherham (4-0) and they also go a result at Bournemouth (2-1), whilst before the three gmes mentioned they got draws at Doncastor and Brentford (1-1), Forest and Southend (0-0) and Scunthorpe (2-2).
They have in fact lost just one of their previous ten away games going into this match. A win was also picked up at Ashton gate (4-2) and they got another 0-0 draw away to Leyton Orient in the F.A. Cup.
Scoring goals is not a problem for Chesterfield away from home this season. Fourteen goals have been scored away from Saltergate in their last nine games, more goals than Rovers have scored in 2006!
Team News:
John Achterberg, expected to miss the remainder of the season will not be in the squad for Rovers but the remainder of the Rovers squad is fit.
Paul Hall will make his first return to Prenton Park since he sadly left in the summer, returning as Chesterfield's top scorer, but other former Rovers players Wayne "The Chief" Allison, Reuben Hazell and Shane Nicholson are all missing for the Spirites.
Jones' Prediction: After successfully predicting a win at The County Ground I can't see us losing but I can't see us winning either against Chesterfield.
Tranmere 1-1 Chestfield
Top 15
Chesterfield Mad editor Paul Fisher takes on our Top 15
- Who are you, what’s your age and how long have you been supporting your club.
My name is Paul Fisher, I’m 30 and I’ve supported the Spireites since 1980
- What’s your best moment as a football fan of your club?
Watching
- And the worst?
Losing to
- Which player has been your all time favourite for your club?
My All Time Favourite Player is probably Kevin Davies as he came through the ranks of the Youth Team and is now starring in the Premiership, sadly not for us but there go such is life.
- And who is your current favourite?
My Current Favourite is Steve Blatherwick who is our current longest serving player and he took a pay cut to stay with us a couple of years ago.
- What’s your favourite away ground in League one?
Possibly this Season it has to be the City Ground,
- What has your form of late been like?
Rubbish, most of our first team players are injured so we have the youth in the team and we aren’t getting anywhere, although we are still hovering around the playoff zone four defeats in five matches ain’t going to get you promoted.
Who’s the “one to watch”?
You should watch young centre half Aaron Downes an Aussie who has just signed a new two year contract and will be some player. Another one is Kevin Hurst Chesterfield Born but on loan from Sheffield United, he has plenty of flair.
- Do you have any youngsters to look out for?
The aforementioned Downes & Hurst, plus Phil Picken, Janos Kovacs, Jamie O’Hara and Adam Smith. All good young players who will have a good future.
- What’s your biggest threat, as in corners, set pieces etc.
We have in my opinion the best midfield in the division; Hall, Allott, Niven, O’Hara & Hurst ball winners and flair players what more do you need.
- At the start of the season, what was your predicted finish for the season?
Relegation, seriously we sold Ian Evatt to QPR and lost Mark Hudson on a free to
- Where do you see yourselves finishing now?
Possibly Mid-Table, which still is very successful considering we have the second worst attendances in the league!
- Do you think either of Tranmere or your team will get relegated or promoted?
You won’t get promoted but you won’t get relegated either and neither will we.
- Are you a little surprised by Tranmere’s performance so far this season?
Yes, very much so, losing Paul Hall I assume was a blow as he is our top scorer this season.
- Finally, your prediction for today’s game?
My prediction for the game will be a 1-1 draw which I would be delighted with considering our recent record.