Setting the scene…
Tranmere Rovers will search for a seventh straight win in Sky Bet League Two when they host Carlisle United at Prenton Park on Saturday afternoon, 3pm kick-off.
Micky Mellon’s Rovers head in to the home fixture against Steven Pressley’s Cumbrians following on from last weekend’s 2-0 away victory at Colchester United.
James Norwood and David Perkins were both on target as fifth-placed Rovers moved to within five points of the automatic promotion positions with a game in hand.
Carlisle visit the Wirral in eighth, three points from the Play-Offs after a 2-2 home draw with Cambridge United at Brunton Park.
Team news
Zoumana Bakayogo is back in training after a spell on the sidelines. Sid Nelson is currently suffering with an illness and is a doubt. Ishmael Miller is still at St George's Park as he recovers from a long term injury.
The Cumbrians season so far
It has been a season of transitional change in the Brunton Park dugout.
Long-serving manager Keith Curle departed the club after four-years at the end of last term and was replaced by John Sheridan.
Sheridan resigned from his post in January despite leading Carlisle to five-straight wins, as Pressley took the reins later that month.
The former Scotland international has led Carlisle to just three points off the Play-Offs and a genuine chance of claiming a top seven spot at the end of the season. From their 39 matches so far this season, CUFC have won 17, drawn seven and lost 15.
One to watch
Forward Hallam Hope leads the way at the top of the Blues’ goalscoring charts this term.
The Manchester-born player turned professional with Premier League Everton after coming through the Merseyside club’s youth system.
Hope, 25, would spend much of his time at the Toffees away from Goodison Park, loaned to Northampton Town, Sheffield Wednesday and two spells at Bury, who he signed permanently for in 2015.
He made 58 appearances for the Gigg Lane outfit either side of a loan stint at his current club.
Hope signed for Carlisle permanently in 2017 and has scored 13 goals for the Cumbrians this season in all competitions.
Tickets
Fancy heading down to Prenton Park this Saturday afternoon to watch some affordable football and cheer on Micky’s lads as TRFC welcome Carlisle United to the Wirral?
Match tickets for our home game against the Cumbrians are still available to purchase either in person at the Prenton Park ticket office or online by clicking here: https://www.trfctickets.co.uk/.
Tickets start from as little as just £2 for U12s and adults from £18 with family tickets available to save money. It is £2 cheaper to buy online, which we encourage all supporters to do.
TRFC’s online ticket store is also the perfect place to purchase tickets for upcoming Sky Bet League Two games, both home and away, and away coach travel.
Match Officials
Referee: Scott Duncan
Assistants: Akil Howson and Mark Dwyer
Fourth Official: Daniel Middleton
Match Coverage
Can’t make it to Rovers’ home game against Carlisle United on Saturday afternoon? Don’t worry as you can keep up with goings on at Prenton Park.
You can now sign up to Tranmere Rovers’ iFollow, which allows access to extended highlights and interviews with manager Micky Mellon and a player, after the game.
To sign up, click here
Alternatively, you can follow the action through our social media channels below, with full text coverage during the fixture, followed by a match report.
Twitter: @tranmererovers
Facebook: @trfcofficial
Instagram: @tranmererovers