In a potential relegation six-pointer, Bristol Rovers will welcome Burton Albion to Memorial Stadium on Saturday in League One.
The Gas will be looking to make it three games unbeaten this weekend, while the Brewers are in surprisingly strong form for a side in the relegation zone.
Match preview
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Having taken a respectable seven points from their last five matches, Inigo Calderon's Rovers are now 19th in the third tier with 32 points to their name.
However, while the Gas are not in poor form, the teams in the relegation places have made a strong start to 2025, and Calderon's side are currently just five points ahead of 21st-placed Shrewsbury Town.
Last time out, Rovers drew 1-1 with promotion hopefuls Stockport County when a stoppage-time equaliser from Aston Villa loanee Sil Swinkels cancelled out Isaac Olaofe's opener.
That stalemate meant that Saturday's hosts have lost just two of their nine most recent games at Memorial Stadium, a stretch that includes two wins and four draws going back to early November.
This weekend, the Gas may be facing a team that have been in the relegation zone for the majority of the campaign, but their own status in the division will be in doubt unless they avoid defeat.
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Meanwhile, Gary Bowyer's Burton have defied their lowly league position by putting together a six-game unbeaten streak ahead of their trip to Bristol and losing just once in 2025 so far.
Winning three and drawing three of their last six matches has earned the Brewers 12 points, almost half of their season's total of 26 that has them in 23rd place.
Unfortunately for Saturday's visitors, their relegation rivals Shrewsbury, Crawley Town and Cambridge United have all picked up a commendable number of points in recent weeks, though they are now just four points from safety and survival seems within reach.
In the reverse fixture, Albion lost 3-1 at the Pirelli Stadium back in October, though they did initially take the lead in that game and will feel more confident of securing a positive result this time around given the strength of their form.
To add to this feeling of confidence, Burton have lost just one away league match since October, and three points this weekend could see them on the cusp of safety should results elsewhere prove favourable.
Team News
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Both Michael Reindorf and Sil Swinkels made their debuts for Rovers last time out, and the forward won the free kick that led to the centre-back's equaliser.
Boss Calderon is likely to call upon the duo from the bench this weekend, and has spoken about not putting pressure on Reindorf in particular to score goals.
With this in mind, Chris Martin should continue up top, while James Wilson and Connor Taylor should start at the heart of defence.
As for Burton, Bowyer is unlikely to make too many changes from the XI that started against Blackpool last time out given his side's strong form.
January signings James Jones and Fabio Tavares both featured from the bench against the Seasiders, and if they do so again, they may come on for midfielder Charlie Webster and striker Jon Dadi Bodvarsson respectively when they tire.
Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:
J Ward; Hunt, Wilson, Taylor, Sousa; G Ward, Butcher; Thomas, Hutchinson, Sotiriou; Martin
Burton Albion possible starting lineup:
Crocombe; Vancooten, Sweeney, Armer; Godwin-Malife, Webster, Chauke, Dodgson; McKiernan; Bodvarsson, Burrell
We say: Bristol Rovers 1-2 Burton Albion
Rovers may have the advantage in league position, but the momentum is with Burton ahead of this clash.
The fact that the Brewers have been so strong both in 2025 and on the road in general for the past few months is difficult to ignore, and the visitors will likely take another step towards survival with three points on Saturday.
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