We turn our attentions to the weekend action with a full and in-depth preview of Tranmere Rovers' League Two visit to The Dunes Hotel Stadium.
Barrow v Tranmere Rovers
Saturday 5th February 2022, 3pm
The Dunes Hotel Stadium
Sky Bet League Two
In Opposition
Tranmere Rovers secured three important points on Tuesday night as they beat Stevenage at Prenton Park – but the victory was just as important psychologically as it was statistically.
Micky Mellon’s men have been in an absolutely incredible run of form for the past couple of months – a sequence which has seen them win nine of their last 11 games to rocket up to second in the League Two table.
However, their only defeat in that run came at the hands of leaders Forest Green Rovers who delivered a crushing blow when they won 4-0 in Birkenhead last weekend.
Mellon admitted that it took mental strength to recover so quickly and get three points in midweek and he will now hope they can build on that as they head for Barrow on Saturday.
Rovers are looking for a return to League One at the second attempt following their controversial relegation on points per game at the end of the 2019/20 campaign.
However, they know they will have their work cut out against The Bluebirds after Mark Cooper’s men enjoyed a morale-boosting 1-0 victory at promotion-chasing Northampton Town on Tuesday.
One To Watch
Josh Hawkes will hope to push for a return to the Rovers starting eleven this weekend after coming off the bench to good effect during the second half of Tuesday’s win over Stevenage.
The talented young midfielder has completed a permanent switch to Prenton Park during the January transfer window after impressing Micky Mellon during a spell on loan from Sunderland.
The former Hartlepool United star can produce moments of magic to create opportunities for teammates and he also operates a shoot on sight policy which The Bluebirds will need to nullify on Saturday if he features.
Head To Head
The Bluebirds are looking to hit back against Tranmere Rovers after they ran out winners when the side met at Prenton Park on Boxing Day.
However, Barrow have a good recent home record against their Merseyside opponents having not been beaten on their own patch by them in any of the last four meetings.
Referee
Oliver Langford will be back in action at The Dunes Hotel Stadium for a second time this season when he’s on the whistle for our League Two meeting with Tranmere Rovers.
The experienced official was also the man in the middle for our 1-0 win over Scunthorpe United in the Carabao Cup back in August.
Having been on the EFL’s list of referees since 2008, Langford operates mainly in the Championship these days – his latest outing came at Swansea City on as they were beaten 1-0 by Luton Town on Tuesday night.
Tickets
Tickets for Saturday’s game are available in advance online and from The Dunes Hotel Stadium which will remain open until 4pm on Friday.
On the day of the game, tickets will be available from 10am from Main Reception (card payment only) and from the Ticket Booth in the Fan Zone from 12noon (cash and card payment).
Click here for all the information you need on buying tickets for Saturday’s game.
Live Streaming
There will be no live stream for fans living in the UK due to the restrictions around Saturday afternoon broadcasting.
However, fans who live abroad will be able to access live footage as normal and can pick up their International Video Match Pass right now for just £10.
Click here to add your Match Pass ahead of kick-off.
Live Commentary
iFollow is the only place that fans can listen to live online commentary of every game this season as we continue our link-up with our friends at BBC Radio Cumbria.
Fans will be able to listen to expert Bluebirds commentator Adam Johnson, who will be joined by John Goodwin to describe all the action as it unfolds against Tranmere Rovers.
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.
Click here now to subscribe to iFollow.
Betting
The bookies are making this a close call on Saturday with Barrow rated a 13/8 shot for victory and visiting Tranmere Rovers available at a price of 17/10 and a draw coming in at 2/1.
Click here now to take a look at a full list of markets ahead of this weekend’s game.