Setting the scene…
Tranmere Rovers visit Premier League outfit Watford on Saturday afternoon to contest an Emirates FA Cup third-round tie at Vicarage Road, kick-off 3:01pm.
Micky Mellon’s men are at this stage of the competition and face a top-flight club for the second season in a row, having beaten Wycombe Wanderers and Chichester City to set up a meeting with Nigel Pearson’s Hornets.
Watford have collected ten points from their four outings under the recently appointed Pearson and they kick-off their cup journey after finishing runners-up to Manchester City in 2018/19.
Team news
Centre-back Peter Clarke is available to make his Rovers debut away at Watford after he signed from Fleetwood Town on New Year’s Day.
Liam Ridehalgh and Manny Monthe are doubtful following injuries picked up during the Festive period.
Scott Davies, Mark Ellis, Ollie Banks, Ishmael Miller, Evan Gumbs and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson are all out injured.
One to watch
Forward Gerard Deulofeu has impressed for Watford this campaign, scoring four goals.
Deulofeu progressed through Barcelona’s youth set-up and would go on to turn professional at the Nou Camp.
He played much of his early football for the club’s ‘B team’ but did go onto make senior appearances for the first-team during his stay with the Catalan giants.
Deulofeu later spent loan time in England with Everton (2013/14) before returning to Spain with Seville for 2014/15.
He signed permanently for Everton in a £4m deal in July 2015, featuring on 37 occasions for the Toffees.
A temporary switch to AC Milan followed prior to a move back to Barcelona in June 2017, where he won La Liga.
The Spain international, 25, signed for Watford on loan in January 2018 and moved permanently for £13m that summer.
Tickets
The SWA have sold out their initial allocation of 2, 200, and a further 889 tickets will be available to purchase which will be on sale when we have them.
Season ticket holders:
£10 - Adult
£7 - 65 years and over
£4 - Full-time student
£1 - 18 years and under (those aged under 14 must be accompanied by an adult)
Non-season ticket holders
£15 - Adult
£10 - 65 years and over
£6 - Full-time student
£2 - 18 years and under (those aged under 14 must be accompanied by an adult)
Supporters with disabilities
There are 30 spaces for wheelchairs and 20 easy-access / amenity seats for visiting supporters.
Official club coach travel will depart Prenton Park at 8am.
Adult (member) - £30
Adult (non-member) - £32
Concession (member) – £29
Concession (non-member) - £31
Past Meetings
TRFC ‘s record against Watford currently stands at won nine, drawn seven and lost 14.
Match Coverage
TRFC Radio will bring you every kick of the action with an iFollow audio match pass, which is the perfect place to follow the updates if you are not making the journey down to Hertfordshire, costing just £2.50.
Your matchday commentary team of Phill Wilkinson, Rob Edwards and Adam Siddorn will guide you through events at Vicarage Road.
iFollow Tranmere is the only place you can listen to devoted TRFC coverage and if you sign-up, you can watch exclusive behind the scenes content, interviews and match highlights.
To sign-up for an audio match pass, 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
Did you know?
Rovers will play Watford at Vicarage Road for the first time since April 2001 on Saturday, which ended in a 1-1 draw when both teams competed in Division One.