Tranmere Rovers Match Stats Preview

History of the Tranmere Rovers v Carlisle United fixture

The Blues face a trip down to the Wirral tomorrow afternoon, looking to improve on an average historical record at Prenton Park. United having won twelve, drawn seven and lost 22 games in a total of 41 matches played between the two sides at the home of Tranmere over the years.

Last season in League One though the Blues did pick up three points in a 2-1 victory when Lee Miller on three minutes and then a James Berrett penalty after 35 put United 2-0 up at the break. A 51st minute Lucas Akins strike for Rovers though ensuring it was a nervy end to the game for Carlisle in front of 4,219 fans.

In the 2010-11 campaign in League One however the Cumbrians were on the losing side in a 2-1 defeat on the New Year Bank Holiday Monday. A remarakble game seeing Peter Murphy smack an early penalty well over the top for Carlisle before Ian Goodison gave the home side the lead in the 39th minute as 5,128 spectators looked on.

The same penalty spot then coming into play again for Tranmere twice in the second-half when Blues stopper Adam Collin saved penalties from first Ian Thomas-Moore and then Aaron Cresswell before United equalised after 78 minutes through James Berrett. Parity in the match not lasting long though when Thomas-Moore scored what would turn out to be the winning goal in the game just two minutes later.

In the 2009-10 League One season the two teams fought out a dour 0-0 draw on the Wirral on the 28th December 2009 in front of 6,313 fans. Tranmere going the closest to finding the net in the 64th minute when former United player Craig Curran hit the underside of Adam Collin's crossbar with a close range effort.

In the 2008-09 campaign in League One the Cumbrians crashed to a 4-1 defeat at Prenton Park with all the goals coming in the second-half. Ian Thomas-Moore and Gareth Edds putting the home side 2-0 up before Danny Graham pulled a goal back for United. Further Rovers goals from Steve Jennings and Thomas-Moore again condemning the Blues though to a disappointing result as 5,924 spectators looked on.

Carlisle have endured some other heavy defeats on the Wirral over the years, the Blues having been hammered 6-1 on three occasions. The last time United were thumped by that scoreline was in the 2001-02 season in the second round of the FA Cup. Tranmere were already 3-0 up on 17 minutes through a Jason Koumas brace and a goal from former Blue Jason Price before Ian Stevens missed a penalty and Will McDonagh was sent off on his debut for two bookings as the Blues compounded their own misery.

That was rubbed in even further bang on the half-time whistle when Koumas completed his hat-trick with a long-range rasper. Stuart Barlow's penalty for Rovers on 70 minutes then made the score 5-0 before Richie Foran grabbed what could loosely be called a consolation goal for Carlisle just sixty seconds later. In front of an attendance of 7,428 fans though the home side had the final word in the 76th minute when Stephen Yates completed the 6-1 rout.

United's best margin of victory at Prenton Park has twice been by a scoreline of 3-0, once in Division Four in 1961-62 and once in Division Three North in 1947-48. The most memorable of those seasons was the promotion campaign in the early 60's as the Blues finished fourth in the old Division Four. Carlisle's win away to Rovers in early October coming thanks to a George Walker brace and a goal from Sammy Taylor as 10,050 spectators looked on.

Recent encounters between the teams

For a detailed analysis of the complete head-to-head record between the two sides, click here

Recent respective form guides

Tranmere are in decent form at home, having won four and drawn two of their last six games, A total of nine goals have been scored by Rovers in those games, with just four conceded. In complete contrast to Tranmere meanwhile Carlisle are having a torrid time on their travels of late, accumulating just one victory, one draw and four losses from their last six matches played on the road. While the Cumbrians have notched up six goals in those games a hefty eleven have hit the back of the wrong net.

Tranmere Rovers are leading the way in the npower League One on goal difference from Doncaster Rovers, with their 29 games played so far giving them a return of 56 points. Carlisle meanwhile find themselves struggling down in 17th position in the league table having picked up 33 points from their 28 matches contested to date.

Current overall team form

For a detailed analysis of current team form guides in this or any division, click here

FootyMad's prediction ...

The Cumbrians are in poor form away, and the FootyMad panel are afraid to say this game can be passed over as a comfortable defeat against Tranmere Rovers....... Home win

Sequence statistics

For a detailed analysis of current team sequences throughout the leagues, click here