Now here's a first. We've never played Tranmere Rovers before, not once. Not in a cup competition, not in the league, not even in a friendly. Birkenhead is virgin territory for the Glovers, with only those long trips up the coast a bit to Southport (or Scouseport as it was fondly known back then) in days of yore to provide a reference point for those hardy souls (or complete idiots, depending on your point of view) braving the roads over the Christmas week to watch the Glovers make their first visit to Prenton Park tomorrow evening (Wednesday 28th Dec), kick off 7.45pm. It's a ridiculous distance to expect fans to travel 3 days after Christmas and for an evening kick-off at that - does no-one in the Football League ever actually look at the fixture lists or all they all too busy persecuting innocent fan sites for having the temerity to inform supporters of minor bits of useful information, like when and where their team happens to be actually playing their matches... But that's a rant for another day.
Tranmere, managed by the vastly experienced Brian Little, have probably surprised both themselves and their fans this season with their general inconsistency and their current lowly league position - they're 21st on 23 points at the time of writing, 6 points behind the 16th-placed Glovers. Their poor form has certainly surprised most outside commentators including this writer - I, and I suspect most other people, were expecting them to be challenging for automatic promotion at the other end of the table and on paper a few months ago this fixture looked to be one of the most difficult of the season for the Town. However with only 2 wins at Prenton Park so far this season Rovers home record is mediocre at best - only Rotherham have won less points at home - and with the Glovers having had an extra 2 days rest and preparation since last Friday night's draw with Bournemouth (Tranmere drew 0-0 at Port Vale yesterday) then Yeovil will be very hopeful of getting something out of the game.
"Brian Little will be looking at Yeovil as one of the teams he would want to overtake in the league and tomorrow's match will be yet another important match," Glovers boss Steve Thompson told the club's official site today. "For our part we want to extend our unbeaten run beyond three matches. The boys have been training well and everybody is well up for the match. Tranmere are a big club so the challenge is obviously there. It's just a pity it's such a long way for our supporters to travel over the Christmas period."
Injury news: Yeovil are hoping that on-loan defender Liam Fontaine will be fit in time for Wednesday evening. The Fulham player missed training on Boxing Day after the bang on the knee he suffered against Bournemouth hadn't settled down but was hoping to be involved in today's session. Definitely missing is midfield dynamo Darren Way, out until the New Year. For Tranmere first-choice goalkeeper John Achterberg (stomach) is out, as are strikers Calvin Zola (back) and Chris Dagnall (leg). Another forward, Delroy Facey, is doubtful after picking up a knock against Port Vale yesterday.
Selected betting odds: Tranmere win - 6/5; draw - 23/10; Yeovil win - 15/8. Our recommendation: Tranmere's poor home record plus our recent improvement add up to only one possible result - an away win! Erm, or a draw. Or possibly a home win. But our fiver's going on the Yeovil win, we couldn't look at ourselves in the mirror otherwise. Record so far this season: +13.63p.
For those of you travelling oop north tomorrow the Ciderspace guide to all things Tranmere is online here. And barely a mention of hubcaps and stereos! Well done to all concerned.
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27 December 2005 : 
