Take a look at everything you need to know ahead of Saturday's League Two trip to face Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park.
Tranmere Rovers v Barrow
Saturday 24th April 2021, 3pm
Prenton Park
Sky Bet League Two
In Opposition
Tranmere Rovers will still be holding on to some hope of snatching an automatic promotion spot this term following a confidence-boosting 1-0 win at Bradford City in midweek.
It was a much-needed victory for Keith Hill’s men who had drawn five of their last seven outings to slip slightly off the pace and they come into Saturday’s game sitting four points shy of the top three.
There remains some anger among supporters after they were relegated from League One on a points-per-game conclusion to last term and it would go somewhere to erasing that pain if they were to bounce back at the first attempt.
Hill has made a very positive impact since being appointed as boss in November and a brilliant start to 2021 saw them drive themselves right into the promotion race and the Birkenhead outfit will be hoping they can yet clinch that instant return by squeezing home in the final three games.
One To Watch
Jay Spearing’s experience in midfield could prove crucial for Tranmere Rovers during what is sure to be a tense run-in and potential play-off campaign.
The 32-year-old arrived at Prenton Park during the summer following his departure from Blackpool and has started all but three of Rovers’ League Two games this term.
A former Liverpool youngster, Spearing was restored straight into the starting eleven for Tuesday’s win at Bradford City after being shown a red card during the 1-0 defeat at Walsall seven days earlier.
Head To Head
Barrow and Tranmere Rovers have history stretching all the way back to the 1910/11 season and this weekend’s meeting will be the 104th in all competitions.
Rovers have the edge having tasted victory 41 times in comparison to The Bluebirds’ 37 wins but the last two encounters have both ended in 1-1 draws.
Barrow have lost on their last three visits to Prenton Park, including a 5-1 defeat in the 2016/17 FA Trophy but they have also won on The Wirral quite recently – a 1-0 triumph in October 2015 courtesy of Andy Haworth’s first half goal.
Referee
Marc Edwards will take in his third Barrow game of the season when he’s on the whistle for Saturday’s encounter with Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park.
The official was last in charge of a Bluebirds fixture when he saw us defeat Cheltenham Town 3-0 just before Christmas, while was also in the middle for our Papa John’s Trophy game against Leeds United Under-21s in October.
Now into his second season on the EFL’s list of referees, Edwards’ last appointment was at Sincil Bank a fortnight ago when he saw Lincoln City draw 2-2 with Blackpool.
Betting
Tranmere Rovers have been installed as 5/4 favourites for three points this weekend, while Barrow can be backed at odds of 21/10 and the draw is priced up at 11/5 with our friends at 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 Saturday’s game live on iFollow Barrow are now available – fans are reminded that Season Ticket holders do not get free access to away games.
We’re delighted that BBC Cumbria’s Adam Johnson is back behind the mic for our live stream of this weekend’s game and he will be joined by regular awayday summariser Mark Boyd.
Fans in the UK can buy a Match Pass to watch the action now priced at £10, while overseas supporters pay £7.
Click here now to buy your Match Pass for this weekend’s game.
Live Commentary
We will also provide an audio commentary of Saturday’s game as BBC Radio Cumbria team, Adam Johnson and Mark Boyd deliver coverage to fans all over the world via iFollow.
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.