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Bristol Rovers
League One | Gameweek 40
Apr 1, 2025 at 8pm UK
Memorial Stadium
Birmingham logo

Bristol Rovers
1 - 2
Birmingham

O'Donkor (19')
Ward (48'), Shaw (56'), Sotiriou (84'), Taylor (90')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Anderson (3'), Stansfield (85' pen.)
Davies (59')

Preview: Bristol Rovers vs. Birmingham City - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Tuesday's League One clash between Bristol Rovers and Birmingham City, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Birmingham City will be aiming to continue their charge towards the League One title when they travel to Bristol Rovers on Tuesday night.

The visitors are top of the League One table, nine points clear of second-placed Wrexham with two games in hand, while Bristol Rovers sit 20th, six points above 21st-placed Burton Albion in the battle to remain in the division.


Match preview

Bristol Rovers head coach Inigo Calderon on December 26, 2024© Imago

Bristol Rovers boast a record of 12 wins, six draws and 21 defeats from their 39 matches, with a total of 42 points leaving them in 20th spot in the League One table, just six points ahead of 21st-placed Burton.

Inigo Calderon's side will enter this match off the back of three straight league defeats, with their last of those coming at home to Mansfield Town on Saturday afternoon, losing 2-1 to Nigel Clough's team.

The Pirates have been strong in front of their own fans this season, though, picking up 31 points from 19 matches, which is absolutely crucial considering that they have the second-worst away record in the division.

Bristol Rovers have only beaten Birmingham on two previous occasions, with their last of those victories coming back in January 1980, and it was 2-0 to the Blues when the two teams locked horns for the reverse match earlier this season.

Jay Stansfield celebrates scoring for Birmingham City on September 16, 2024© Imago

Birmingham were relegated from the Championship last season in 22nd position, but the Blues look almost certain when it comes to securing promotion back to the second tier for the 2025-26 campaign.

Chris Davies's side are top of the table, nine points clear of second-placed Wrexham, with two games in hand, while they sit 12 points ahead of third-placed Wycombe Wanderers, who have played one match more.

Only an incredible collapse at this late stage would prevent promotion, with Birmingham winning 26, drawing eight and losing just three of their 37 league matches during a terrific campaign.

The Blues are the second-highest goalscorers in the third tier, finding the back of the net on 63 occasions, while they have the best defensive record with just 25 conceded, so it is not difficult to understand why it has been a strong season.

The visitors will enter this match off the back of three straight league wins, including a 4-1 success over Shrewsbury Town on Saturday, but they were beaten 3-1 at Bolton Wanderers at the start of the month.

Bristol Rovers League One form:

Birmingham City League One form:


Team News

Scott Sinclair for Bristol Rovers against Wigan Athletic on September 14, 2024© Imago

Bristol Rovers head coach Calderon is expected to recall Scott Sinclair on Tuesday evening, with the number seven dropping down to the bench for the clash with Mansfield on Saturday afternoon.

Isaac Hutchinson, who is the team's leading goalscorer this season with six, was another to drop out last time out, but the 24-year-old is also set to be back in the XI for this contest.

Ruel Sotiriou has five goals to his name this term, and the forward will keep hold of his starting role for this clash.

As for Birmingham, two of their four goals against Shrewsbury on Saturday came from the bench, with Alfie May netting a brace, and there might now be a spot in the final third of the field for the 31-year-old.

The Blues have not reported any fitness concerns from their last match, but head coach Davies may also decide to freshen it up in a wide area, with Emil Hansson potentially being introduced.

Jay Stansfield is enjoying a terrific season, scoring 20 times in 34 appearances, and his presence at centre-forward could mean that May is asked to operate in a slightly deeper role on Tuesday night.


Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:
Ward; Senior, Wilson, Taylor, Swinkels; Shaw, Sawyers, Hutchinson; Sinclair, O'Donkor, Sotiriou

Birmingham City possible starting lineup:
Allsop; Laird, Klarer, Davies, Cochrane; Iwata, Leonard; Dowell, May, Hansson; Stansfield


SM words green background

We say: Bristol Rovers 0-2 Birmingham City

Bristol Rovers are seeking a first win over Birmingham since January 1980, but we are finding it so difficult to back against the Blues here; it should be a relatively routine success for a side destined for a quick return to the Championship.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


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Written by
Matt Law

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Game History

How you voted: Bristol Rovers vs Birmingham

Bristol Rovers
13.6%
Draw
6.8%
Birmingham City
79.5%
44
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Jay Stansfield celebrates scoring for Birmingham City on September 16, 2024
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4Charlton AthleticCharlton4625101167432485
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6Leyton Orient462461672482478
7Reading4621121368571175
8Bolton WanderersBolton46208186770-368
9Blackpool4617161372601267
10Huddersfield TownHuddersfield46197205855364
11Lincoln CityLincoln461613176456861
12Barnsley461710196973-461
13Rotherham UnitedRotherham461611195459-559
14Stevenage461512194250-857
15Wigan AthleticWigan461317164042-256
16Exeter CityExeter461511204965-1656
17Mansfield TownMansfield46159226073-1354
18Peterborough UnitedPeterborough461312216881-1351
19Northampton TownNorthampton461215194866-1851
20Burton Albion461114214966-1747
RCrawley TownCrawley461210245783-2646
RBristol Rovers46127274476-3243
RCambridge UnitedCambridge46911264573-2838
RShrewsbury TownShrewsbury4689294179-3833


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