Bristol Rovers will be expecting to bounce back from defeat when they host Carlisle United in League One on Saturday.
The visitors are marooned to the bottom of the table, having lost seven league games in a row.
Match preview
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Bristol Rovers have been on a disappointing run themselves since the turn of the calendar year, losing seven of their last 10 league matches to all but end their hopes of claiming a playoff spot.
Matt Taylor had claimed 10 points from a possible 15 after being appointed as manager in early December, but having already sacked Joey Barton earlier this season, the club's owner Hussain Al Saeed is unlikely to be impressed with the team's current form.
The Gas were beaten 3-1 away to Northampton Town last weekend, with strikes from Patrick Brough and Mitch Pinnock handing the hosts a two-goal cushion at half time. Veteran forward Chris Martin bagged 11 minutes from the end of normal time to threaten a comeback, but Marc Leonard's effort sealed all three points for his side.
That defeat saw Northampton leapfrog their opponents in the table, with Bristol Rovers sliding down to 12th position as a result. Ultimately, given that this is only their second campaign back in the third tier, a top-half finish would be no disaster, but Taylor will be desperate for his side to return to winning ways on Saturday.
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Carlisle, on the other hand, have illustrated how difficult the jump from League Two to League One can be for teams on a budget, after defeating Stockport County on penalties in last season's playoff final.
Paul Simpson's side began the campaign in decent enough form, generally drifting inside and outside of the relegation zone, but they have only managed to collect six points from their last 17 matches and sit six points adrift at the bottom of the table as a result.
The Cumbrians were thrashed 4-0 at home by Neil Harris's Cambridge United last weekend, with Sullay Kaikai getting the visitors off to a flier by scoring after 14 minutes. However, Cambridge scored their other three goals all after the hour mark, with Elias Kachunga and Ryan Bennett sealing their side's rout despite only having 37% possession across the encounter.
That heavy defeat leaves Carlisle 13 points away from safety with only 14 matches remaining, meaning that Simpson and the club's hierarchy will already have one eye on rebuilding for next season. Having spent a decade competing in League Two, they will be desperate to ensure that they do not remain in England's bottom tier as long next time around, before giving themselves a better chance of surviving should they manage to bounce back.
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Given their opponents' poor form, Taylor may feel that the time is right to finally partner Martin with John Marquis in attack. Many Bristol Rovers' fans have been calling for this move in recent weeks, and they may get their wish on Saturday.
James Connolly and Elkan Baggott are also pushing for starts after being used from the bench at Northampton, with Taylor likely to make a few changes after that disappointing defeat.
Carlisle have far fewer options to call upon as they attempt to end their recent rut, but Simpson could hand Daniel Butterworth a chance to impress in attack.
Otherwise, the vastly-experienced coach is likely to stick to the principles which have got him and his current team as far as they have during his two stints in charge of the club.
Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:
Ward; Hunt, Baggott, Connolly, Gordon; Thomas, Grant, Vale, Sinclair; Marquis, Martin
Carlisle United possible starting lineup:
Lewis; Ellis, Lavelle, Barclay, Armer; Vela, Neal, Mellish; Gibson, Armstrong, Butterworth
We say: Bristol Rovers 3-1 Carlisle United
Having lost seven of their last 10 matches, Bristol Rovers will be relishing facing the worst team in the division on recent form. We can envisage them cutting loose with a few goals and a comfortable victory.
Carlisle have lost seven successive games and appear doomed for an instant return to League Two, but they are likely to stick with club legend Simpson after defying the odds to reach this level of the footballing pyramid in the first place.
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Brett Curtis
