Tranmere have lost just once on their return to the Football League as they look to build on last season’s Conference play-off final success.
They are though, draw specialists, with four of their seven league outings ending in stalemates.
Reports suggest they have played well in all of their games so far, with defeats in the Carabao Cup and Checkatrade Trophy the only blots to their copy book thus far.
Both of their September league outings have ended in 1-1 draws, but with seven goals in all competitions striker James Norwood will definitely be one to watch at the weekend.
Away Fan Guide
Tranmere supporters, click HERE for your downloadable Away Fan Guide ahead of your visit to Brunton Park.
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It feels like déjà vu once again!
United fans will welcome defender Mark Ellis, keeper Shamal George and striker Cole Stockton back to Brunton Park at the weekend.
Ellis, a favourite with United supporters, scored three goals in just under 75 appearances for the club during his 33-month stay and endeared himself to the Brunton faithful having worked his way back into the side following loan spells at Forest Green and Leyton Orient.
Liverpool stopper Shamal George made seven appearances for the Cumbrians during a half-season loan spell last year, and Cole Stockton was a late summer departure, making his return to Prenton Park, following eight months up here with us. He scored once in his 13 appearances in a Carlisle shirt.
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Manager’s thoughts
Speaking ahead of the game, United boss John Sheridan said: “I know Micky Mellon really well. He’s a good manager and he’ll have his side ready for this game.
“They’ve come up last season and they’ll be looking to build on that. They’ve already shown that they’re hard to beat and they’ll be very disciplined and organised, and they’ll look to bring the game to us whenever they have the ball.
“As ever it’ll be down to us and what we do. This is the first of a run of home games and it presents an opportunity for us to build a bit of momentum. We know the areas we need to work on, but we also know we look a good when we do the basics well and when we make the right decisions.
“I think it’s another game the fans can look forward to.”
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Did You Know?
+ A young Birkenhead player named William Ralph ‘Dixie’ Dean made his debut for Tranmere Rovers at the age of just 16 years and 355 days in 1924.
+ Following the expansion of the Football League in 1921 to a Third Division each for the north and south of England, Rovers were accepted into the Third Division (North) and played their first fixture against Crewe Alexandra at Prenton Park on 27 August 1921.
+ In 1999/2000, under former-hero John Aldridge, victories over a succession of Premier League sides led not only to a place in the quarter finals of the FA Cup, but a place in the final of the Worthington Cup - the first time Rovers had ever reached a major cup final. However, after coming from a goal down to equalise, Tranmere eventually lost the match 2-1 against Leicester City.
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Head to Head
Regular combatants, the clubs have met a total of 85 times in all competitions over the years. It’s another fairly even split with United slightly edging 34 victories to 32 for Rovers.
| Carlisle wins | Draws | Tranmere wins | |
| League | 31 | 16 | 27 |
| Cup | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| FA Cup | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| League Cup | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Total | 34 | 19 | 32 |
The last time we met was in February 2015, at Prenton Park, when a quickfire double from Charlie Wyke just after the break secured a 2-0 away victory for the Blues. It came at a price as Kyle Dempsey received his marching orders deep into time added on.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
The league meeting at Brunton Park earlier that season was a tense affair, but a nice finish from David Amoo with just 20 minutes left to play proved to be the difference as the Cumbrians battled their way to a hard-earned three points.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
The trio of meetings from that season was completed, again at Prenton Park, when the sides came together in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. Brad Potts got on the end of a good move to cancel out a first half Max Power goal, but it was Tranmere who progressed as they got the better of the penalty shoot-out, winning by 5-4 at the end of a very long night.
Watch the highlights of that game here:
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Man in the middle:
The referee for this game is Mr Matthew Donohue.
He has taken charge of five games so far this season and has shown 19 yellow cards and one red.
New to the Football League this season, this is his first visit to Brunton Park as our match referee.
Referee – Matthew Donohue
Assistant Referee 1 – Graeme Fyvie
Assistant Referee 2 – Helen Byrne
Fourth Official – Paul Byrne
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Ticket information:
Click HERE for full home match ticket information.
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