City return to the Utilita Energy Stadium on Good Friday after consecutive away trips, welcoming Tranmere Rovers for a 3.00pm Sky Bet League Two clash.
Rovers sit just one point off the play-offs in eighth place, but the Easter clash comes exactly one month on from their last win - beating Harrogate Town at home.
Three draws and a loss have seen them slide out of the automatic promotion places and into the chasing pack, making Friday a must-win fixture for the visitors.
We have put together an Opposition Guide to give you all the information you need to know about the opponents in our 42nd league encounter of the season.
TRANSFER ACTIVITY
Micky Mellon made five additions to his squad in the January window, signing three players on permanent deals with a further two joining on loan.
INCOMINGS: Josh McPake (Rangers, loan), Kane Hemmings (Burton), Lee O’Connor (Celtic), Josh Hawkes (Sunderland), Lewis Warrington (Everton, loan).
OUTGOINGS: Scott Davies (Retired), Ryan Watson (Salford), Liam Feeney (Scunthorpe).
ONES TO WATCH
Peter Clarke
Rovers’ timeless captain has started every one of their 41 games this season.
At 40 years old, Clarke has been arguably the Birkenhead side's player of the season and is a key part of the division's third-tightest defence.
With four goals to his name, Clarke has been active at both ends of the park this season as he closes in on 1,000 professional appearances.
Elliot Nevitt
Nevitt tops the Rovers scoring charts with seven goals in his first season at Prenton Park.
The forward’s rise to league football has been gradual, having played for a variety of non-league clubs in and around Merseyside before signing for Tranmere.
The 25-year-old has found his form under Mickey Mellon having notched eight goal contributions this season.
Kane Hemmings
One of Rovers’ January signings, Hemmings has hit the ground running in the Wirral.
The 31-year-old joined from Sky Bet League One side Burton Albion and has already contributed the most goals at his new club.
Hemmings has scored six goals, registering a further five assists in 17 games.
CAPTAIN
Peter Clarke captains Rovers having played over 750 competitive games.
The Southport-born defender began his career at Everton before spending the majority of it in the EFL.
Clarke joined Tranmere in January 2020 and became a mainstay of Rovers’ defence - earning a contract extension after playing every league game for the club.
MANAGER
Micky Mellon returned to Tranmere Rovers at the start of the season after a one-year absence from Prenton Park.
The Rovers boss made over 100 appearances for the Merseyside club and took the managerial role for the first time in 2016 after an successful spell with Shrewsbury Town - earning the Shrews promotion back to the third tier.
Mellon guided Tranmere from the National League to Sky Bet League One in successive seasons at the helm. The Scot left Prenton Park following Rovers’ relegation on a points-per-game basis after the curtailed 2019/20 season.
LAST MATCH
Tranmere Rovers 1 (Kane Hemmings 56’)
Bristol Rovers 1 (Elliot Anderson 63’)
Tranmere: Joe Murphy; Peter Clarke ©, Nathaniel Knight-Percival, Josh Dacres-Cogley, Chris Merrie (booked 65’); Callum McManaman (Sam Foley 70’), Josh Hwakes (Jay Spearing 76’), Lewis Warrington, Lee O’Connor; Elliot Nevitt, Kane Hemmings (booked 60’). SUBS (not used): Kyle Hayde, Charlie Jolley, Ross Dohan, Nicky Maynard.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Meetings: 87
Tranmere Wins: 37
Draws: 19
City Wins: 31
You can secure your place at Friday's clash by CLICKING HERE.