Both teams will be hoping to bounce back from defeat when Bristol Rovers host Burton Albion in League One on Saturday.
Bristol Rovers were beaten 2-0 by Fleetwood Town in midweek, while Burton lost 1-0 at home to Lincoln City last weekend.
Match preview
© Reuters
Having put a stop to a four-match losing streak by winning successive matches against Oxford United and Exeter City, Bristol Rovers would have sensed a great opportunity to make it three victories in a row when hosting struggling Fleetwood on Tuesday.
However, the Cod Army ran out surprising 2-0 winners at the Memorial Stadium, with Ronan Coughlan and Jayden Stockley scoring either side of half time for Charlie Adam's side. Chris Martin saw red in injury time, but the hosts had already accepted defeat by that stage of the proceedings.
As a result, the Gas remain 12 points adrift of the playoff positions, having played one more match than Barnsley and Stevenage Town in fifth and sixth respectively. Matt Taylor may well have his sights set on maintaining their top-half position as a realistic target.
As such, they will be hoping to return to winning ways when they host Burton this weekend. They lead their forthcoming opponents by eight points in the table, suggesting that they should have enough quality to get the job done.
© Reuters
Burton, meanwhile, did not play in midweek as their scheduled match against Cheltenham Town was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at the Pirelli Stadium.
Head coach Martin Paterson and his players would have been chomping at the bit to rectify their 1-0 defeat against Lincoln last weekend, particularly as their opponents played with 10 men for more than an hour of normal time.
Instead, Reading's surprise away victory to Stevenage on Tuesday means that Burton will head to the West Country sitting only two points clear of the relegation zone. Twenty-first-placed Port Vale have two games in hand on Burton, too, suggesting that Paterson's side are firmly set for a relegation battle.
Every point that they can collect between now and the end of the campaign could prove to be vital, then, as the Brewers desperately fight to avoid dropping down to the fourth tier for the first time since 2015.
Team News
© Reuters
Bristol Rovers will have to replace Martin in their central striking position, as the 35-year-old must serve a one-match suspension after his dismissal in midweek. Taylor could turn to John Marquis, who was booked himself after coming off the bench against Fleetwood.
The likes of Luke Thomas, George Friend and Lewis Gordon are pushing for starts given Gas' disappointing performance and result on Tuesday, with Taylor likely to shake things up in an attempt to bounce back.
Burton, meanwhile, should be fresher having not played in midweek. Paterson could make a few alterations himself after his side were left hugely frustrated at their inability to make the most of their numerical advantage against Lincoln last time out.
As such, Joe Hugill and Mason Bennett could come into the visitors' attack at the expense of Ademola Ola-Adebomi and Kyle Hudlin.
Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:
Ward; Wilson, Crama, Friend; Hunt, Conteh, Aguilera, Vale; Evans, Marquis, Thomas
Burton Albion possible starting lineup:
Crocombe; Moon, Brayford, Sweeney; Caprice, Oshilaja, Powell, Seddon; Helm, Bennett; Hugill
We say: Bristol Rovers 2-1 Burton Albion
Bristol Rovers' matches usually feature plenty of goals, with Taylor's side favouring attack over defence. They should be determined to return to winning ways in front of their home fans after the disappointing defeat against Fleetwood.
Burton may have more energy after their match against Cheltenham was postponed in midweek, but they are lacking offensive quality and could be out-gunned by their opponents.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Brett Curtis
