Following the recent ‘will it or won't it go ahead' scenario, Leeds were finally given the go ahead to start the new season last Friday but only at the expense of an unprecedented 15 point deduction that means the Yorkshire side will have to gain the equivalent of five wins before they even break even on League Points, surely making it a difficult season ahead for them.

The bonus for Leeds fans in the build up to this game has been the permission to finally sign players for the new season, something that Dennis Wise and Gus Poyet have been unable to do since United's relegation to League One back in May.

In terms of history, the two sides have never met before in League competition but they have met four times in Cup competitions with Tranmere having the success in the most recent match back in October 2000 at Prenton Park.

Rovers looked down and out at half-time after two goals from Darren Huckerby had put the then Premiership side into a decent lead.  However in true Tranmere style at that particular time, the home side came back in the second half through Andy Parkinson and Steve Yates to force extra-time.

Just when the game looked like it was heading to penalties, Parkinson netted a winner in the final minute of extra time to seal a memorable win against David O'Leary's men.

Tranmere have looked good in pre-season against local lower leagues sides, scoring a total of nineteen goals and conceding just one but it was their performances against more testing opposition that will have most encouraged Rovers fans.

After a hearty home performance against Premiership side Bolton Wanderers ended in a somewhat harsh 1-0 defeat, Tranmere then deservedly beat Championship side Stoke City a week later in another home friendly thanks to goals from Ian Goodison and Steve Davies.

Leeds have managed two pre-season wins away at Shelbourne and Darlington but most recently were narrowly defeated 2-1 by Premiership side Wigan Athletic thanks to two goals from ex-Rovers midfielder Jason Koumas either side of a strike by Jermaine Beckford for United.

The game is sure to be well attended by both sets of fans and hopefully Rovers can give a performance that will encourage one off fans turning up for this game to attend more often.

Tranmere Rovers

Leeds United

Match Referee - Lee Mason (Lancashire)

• No previous League Matches between the two Clubs
• In Cup meetings, Rovers have W1 D1 and L2.

31^st October 2000 - Tranmere Rovers 3 - 2 Leeds United

(AET - Full-Time Score 2-2)

Murphy, Yates, Gareth Roberts, Challinor, Hill, Hamilton (Allison,19), Flynn, Hinds, Koumas, Taylor (Gill,115), Barlow (Parkinson 50)

Subs not used: Achterberg,Hazell,

Goals - Huckerby (25, 34) and Parkinson (52, 120), Yates (76)

Attendance - 11,681

Referee - Rob Styles (Hampshire)

Jermaine Beckford (Striker)

If any Leeds Player knows League One well it is striker Jermaine Beckford who had loan spells at two different Clubs in the Division last season.

His first jaunt away from Elland Road took him north to Carlisle United where he made four appearances including one against Rovers at Brunton Park and scored one goal before returning to Leeds and then moving on to Scunthorpe United in January after the Iron lost striker Andy Keogh to Wolves in the transfer window.

At Scunthorpe he netted eight times in seven appearances and again faced Tranmere, this time at Prenton Park when Scunthorpe won 2-0 to seal the League One title.

Beckford has netted twice in pre-season against Darlington and Wigan is seemingly the Man that Leeds will be relying on for goals next season.

The most obvious Player link between the two sides in recent years is Ian Moore, son of current Rovers boss Ronnie Moore.

Ian played for Rovers for three years between 1994 and 1997 after progressing through the youth ranks at the Club before moving on to Nottingham Forest for £1million.  He then played for both Stockport and Burnley before moving to Leeds in March 2005.

This summer, despite rumours of a return to Prenton Park to play for his dad, he instead signed for League One rivals Hartlepool United on a free transfer after being released by Leeds.

In his career to date he has scored 92 goals in 369 appearance has been transferred between Clubs for fees totalling £2.85million.

Click Here to read the pre-match views of a Leeds Fan prior to the game.

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