The two sides have already met once this season, in the Carling Cup First Round at Glanford Park on August 23rd, when Rovers lost 2-1, Richard Hinds, a former Rovers player, scoring the winner in the 81st minute.
But this time round, things have changed. Since the defeat to Scunthorpe, Rovers have won just two of eight games, when before the League Cup tie, they had won one game, drawn one and lost two.
Whereas Scunthorpe, who lie tenth in League One with 17 points, have lost their last five games and have picked up just ten of a possible 27 points since the two sides last met, after Scunthorpe had had a reasonable start to the season, losing just one of their first seven league game, and that was on the opening day of the season to Brentford.
However, both sides are enduring a poor run of form, there is no question about that. This may be down injuries, as Tranmere have had Ian Sharps out for all of September, whilst Calvin Zola has once again been missing with an injured foot, and more recently, Danny Harrison has been out with a broken nose.
Whilst Ian Sharps is set to return to the squad for the Friday night game, Rovers are still without Calvin Zola and Gareth Roberts, who is on international duty with Wales. Danny Harrison is a doubt for the game and Mark Rankine, who injured his hamstring in training on Friday is also a doubt.
Scunthorpe now have goalkeeper Tom Evans back in full-training after an operation on his fingers and Birmingham City striker, Peter Till is expected to join the Iron's tomorrow morning on a loan deal, meaning he could play against Brian Little's men on Friday night.
Prediction: I think this could be a very intresting game. Niether side has much, if any confidence following torid Septembers and each lost on Saturday, Tranmere to Nottingham Forest and Scunthorpe lost a seven-goal thriller to Yeovil 4-3. Tranmere however, never seem to lose on a Friday night and also have scored in 14 of their last 16 home matches, but the leaking goals has always been a problem. Therefore, I go for 1-1. With Chris Greenacre netting for Tranmere.