Stat Attack: Tranmere Rovers v Notts County

Notts County’s history with Tranmere Rovers goes back 81 years, the first clash between the two coming in January 1933. Playing at Prenton Park – their ground since 1912 – the Birkenhead-based outfit defeated the Magpies 2-1 in the FA Cup.

There haven’t been many games between the two over the years – just 43 fixtures overall. The head-to-head is perfectly poised with both sides having won 17 games each, with nine draws. So tomorrow’s not just worth three points –it’s for the overall head-to-head!

Our form against Tranmere this millennium is not bad – three wins, three defeats and two draws. We beat them back in September 2-0 so hopefully it bodes well for tomorrow.

Our most significant game against Tranmere is undoubtedly the Third Division Playoff Final between us and them at Wembley 24 years ago. Goals from Tommy Johnson and Craig Short saw the Magpies clinch promotion to the second tier through the playoffs on the 27th May 1990, the first of two consecutive promotions.

Tranmere reached the League Cup final back in 2000, where they lost against Leicester City. This was the last League Cup to be played at the old Wembley ground.

One of the greatest English players of all time, Dixie Dean, made his debut for Tranmere aged 16 years 355 days back in 1924. He went on to play for rivals Everton and scored 60 goals in the 1927-28 season, a record that still stands to this day (he also played for Notts County, don’t you know!).

Legendary BBC commentator David Dimbleby is a Tranmere Rovers supporter. Meanwhile, during a gig in 2013, The Cult's lead singer Ian Astbury announced on stage he was a Tranmere Rovers FC supporter at the O2 Academy in Liverpool.

It has also been common knowledge among Rovers fans that singer Elvis Costello has also proclaimed to be a fan.

Birkenhead Park is acknowledged to be the first publicly funded park in Britain.

Tranmere Rovers have failed to win any of their last three games and slipped into the relegation zone in midweek. However, caretaker manager John McMahon will select from the same squad that lost 2-0 at Brentford on Tuesday.

Notts County are without injured captain Dean Leacock, and midfielder Gary Liddle is a doubt after picking up a knock in the midweek loss to Milton Keynes Dons.

Midfielder Andre Boucaud is unavailable for ‘personal reasons’, but striker Jimmy Spencer returns after suspension.