Bristol Rovers will endeavour to climb out of the League One relegation zone at Accrington Stanley's expense during Saturday's third-tier showdown at the Memorial Stadium.
Joey Barton's side suffered a 6-3 thumping at the hands of Lincoln City last weekend, while their visitors secured a 1-0 success over Cheltenham Town.
Match preview
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As Barton put it, attempting to take the game to Lincoln City and play in an aggressive manner did not pay dividends for Bristol Rovers, who came out on the incorrect end of a nine-goal scoreline on September 17.
The Pirates conceded four goals in quick succession between the end of the first half and the hour mark, with hat-trick hero Jack Diamond among the scorers for Lincoln as Aaron Collins's brace and Ryan Loft's effort for Bristol Rovers proved inconsequential.
Barton nevertheless insisted that there was a lot to like about his side's performance, but Bristol Rovers need results more than performances at this juncture, with the Pirates languishing in the relegation zone in 21st place and boasting just eight points from their first nine games.
Victory over Accrington would propel an absentee-hit Bristol Rovers above the dotted line this weekend, but Barton's men have now gone six games without a win in the third tier, conceding at an average of nearly three goals per game in that dismal run.
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Accrington Stanley are not much better off in the embryonic standings than Bristol Rovers are, but John Coleman's side put a crucial three points on the board against Cheltenham last week, ending a three-game losing streak in the process.
Sean McConville had the ball in the back of the net within 30 seconds for Accrington Stanley, and that was all it took for Coleman's team to get over the line before they suffered EFL Trophy disappointment in midweek.
After overcoming Rochdale on penalties during their first cup game of the season, Stanley fell to Salford City's superiority from 12 yards on Tuesday night, and a 0-0 draw in normal time marked a third time in five matches that Coleman's side have failed to find the back of the net.
This weekend's visitors to the Memorial Stadium currently occupy 17th spot in the League One standings and are hovering just two points above the dotted line, with Coleman out to avoid a third-straight defeat for his side on the road here.
A total of 17 goals have been scored in the last three meetings between Bristol Rovers and Accrington Stanley, with the Pirates suffering a 6-1 defeat in February 2021 before exacting revenge with a 4-1 win at home only one month later.
Team News
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Bristol Rovers have lost right-back Luca Hoole to international duty after he was called up for Wales' Under-21s, but Bobby Thomas and Jordan Rossiter are both back from suspensions for the visit of Accrington Stanley.
The Pirates were also with Alfie Kilgour last weekend after his red card from the defeat to Ipswich Town was rescinded, but Lewis Gibson, James Connolly and James Gibbons are among those to have been carrying injuries. Meanwhile, Nick Anderton is still waiting for an operation after being diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer earlier this year.
The return of Burnley loanee Thomas is timely given Hoole's absence, while former Liverpool youngster Rossiter ought to challenge Luke McCormick for a place in the engine room.
Meanwhile, Accrington Stanley announced the signing of striker Nathan Delfouneso earlier this week, but he only lasted 56 minutes against Salford before coming off for Joe Pritchard.
Centre-back Doug Tharme was an injury casualty of the EFL Trophy defeat, joining the quartet of Rosaire Longelo, Korede Adedoyin, Michael Nottingham and Jay Rich-Baghuelou in the infirmary.
Tommy Lee and Harvey Rodgers also came off with issues in the win over Cheltenham last weekend as Coleman ponders his options, with Ryan Astley and Baba Fernandes potentially partnering up at the back here.
Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:
Belshaw; Thomas, Whelan, Gordon; Anderson, Finley, Rossiter, Evans, Clarke; Collins, Loft
Accrington Stanley possible starting lineup:
Jensen; Clarke, Astley, Fernandes, Sloane; Coyle, Conneely, Pritchard; Walley, Delfouneso, McConville
We say: Bristol Rovers 3-1 Accrington Stanley
At the same time as Bristol Rovers are welcoming a couple of names back from suspension, Accrington Stanley have suffered injury after injury over the past couple of weeks, and the hosts did not demonstrate any profligacy in their defeat to Lincoln.
Barton's side will also be the fresher of the two teams due to their lack of midweek EFL Trophy commitments, and we can picture the Pirates claiming a long-awaited against a Stanley side who do not possess a penchant for goal-laden showings.
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Top tip
Ben Knapton
