We take a look at everything you need to know ahead of The Bluebirds' final fixture of 2020 at The Progression Solicitors Stadium.
Barrow v Tranmere Rovers
Tuesday 29th December 2020, 7.45pm
The Progression Solicitors Stadium
Sky Bet League Two
In Opposition
Tranmere Rovers found themselves relegated to League One in controversial circumstances last season as the EFL’s points-per-game model saw them finish in the drop zone despite hitting their best form of the season just before the lockdown.
The Birkenhead outfit made an inconsistent start to the new season and that cost Mike Jackson his job before the experienced Keith Hill arrived to steady the ship.
Tranmere were in great form during November but lost back-to-back league games at the start of this month, including a surprise 5-0 defeat at Exeter City.
However, Hill’s men reacted by running out 3-0 winners at his former club Bolton Wanderers in their next game only to fall to another unlikely 1-0 defeat at home to Bradford City on Boxing Day.
They are still within range of the play-off places though and hopes will remain that they can nudge themselves in to the promotion equation and challenge for a return to League One at the first attempt.
One To Watch
James Vaughan has been in excellent form this season so far after making a permanent move to Prenton Park during the summer on the back of a promising loan stint last term.
The well-travelled front man has already hit double figures in all competitions in 2020/21, netting his ninth League Two goal of the campaign in Rovers’ 3-0 win at Bolton Wanderers ten days ago.
A former Everton trainee, Vaughan made history in April 2005 when he became the Premier League’s youngest scorer when he notched for The Toffees against Crystal Palace whilst still 16.
Head To Head
This evening’s game will be the first meeting between the two sides since they shared a division in the 2017/18 National League campaign.
The game in Cumbria that year finished 1-1 when James Norwood’s last-minute goal rescued a point for Rovers just as it looked as though Byron Harrison’s early penalty was going to win it for The Bluebirds.
Barrow did beat them 2-1 when they came to our place towards the end of the previous season; Inih Effiong and Jordan Williams were on target as The Bluebirds came from behind to claim the victory.
Referee
James Bell will make his second visit to The Progression Solicitors Stadium this season when he’s the man in the middle for our meeting with Tranmere Rovers.
Bell also oversaw The Bluebirds during our Papa John’s Trophy defeat to Accrington Stanley earlier this term, which is his first on the EFL list of referees after being promoted from the National League.
His most recent appointment came on Boxing Day when he presided over Lincoln City’s 5-1 thrashing of Burton Albion in League One at Sincil Bank.
Tickets
A limited number of tickets were made available for this fixture and these are now completely SOLD OUT.
There will be no tickets available anywhere on matchday and supporters are strongly advised not to visit The Progression Solicitors Stadium unless they have a ticket for the game.
Betting
Barrow have been installed as slight favourites for three points at odds of 6/4, whilst Tranmere are just behind at a price of 13/8 and a draw is available at 23/10 with Sky Bet.
Click here now to take a look at Sky Bet’s range of odds on Saturday’s action.
Live Streaming
Match Passes to watch the game against Tranmere Rovers live on iFollow Barrow are now available so that you can enjoy every minute of the action this evening.
Season Ticket holders who can’t make it along to the game will still have complimentary access via their iFollow accounts, which should now have been successfully upgraded.
Click here now to buy your Match Pass for the game.
Live Commentary
We will also provide an audio commentary of tonight’s game when we link up with BBC Radio Cumbria who will describe all the action as it unfolds.
You can purchase an Audio Match Pass for £2.50, an Audio Monthly Pass for £4.49 or sign-up for Audio Season Pass which provides all live commentary and video news for just £45.