The threat of relegation from League One looms over Bristol Rovers unless they can collect points in their final three games of the season, starting against visitors Stevenage on Monday at Memorial Stadium.
The hosts are fourth last in 21st place with 43 points following their 1-1 draw with Wrexham on Friday, and they occupy the division's final relegation spot, whereas Stevenage lost 3-1 against Blackpool on April 18 and are in 15th place with 52 points.
Match preview
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Bristol Rovers produced just two shots on target and just one from open play against Wrexham, though they should be credited for their defensive display given they limited their third-placed opponents to less than one xG.
However, the home side have not kept a clean sheet in eight matches, though perhaps more concerning to boss Inigo Calderon will be that fact his side have only scored four goals in their past seven outings.
The Pirates are level on points with 20th-placed Burton, and Monday's clash against Stevenage could represent a good opportunity to move out of the relegation zone given the Brewers play league champions Birmingham City on the same day.
Bristol Rovers' form heading into their next game is alarming, with the club winless in seven matches, and they were defeated in the six games prior to their draw with Wrexham.
Calderon's team have also lost each of their last three home fixtures by a score of 2-1, though they did win five of their previous seven at Memorial Stadium.
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As for the visitors, they prevented Blackpool from creating any big chances in the first half but conceded three times between the 56th and 68th minutes in a second-half collapse.
Stevenage have failed to find the back of the net in three of their last five matches, and they have scored one or fewer goals in 14 of their past 15 in all competitions.
Head coach Alex Revell oversaw a 3-0 victory against Bristol Rovers in the sides' first league meeting in 2024-25 on December 29, though they benefitted significantly from Jamie Lindsay's 53rd-minute red card when the score was 1-0.
The Boro have been beaten in four of their last five games while drawing two and losing one of their prior three.
Stevenage's form on the road has also been poor having failed to achieve victory away from home since March 4, a period encompassing four defeats and one stalemate.
Team News
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Bristol Rovers started Jack Hunt, James Wilson, Connor Taylor and Luke Thomas in a back four against Wrexham, and the quartet will likely feature again on Monday.
Midfield anchors Taylor Moore and Matt Butcher could be stationed behind attacking midfielder Gatlin O'Donkor.
Striker Ruel Sotiriou has played 35 times in the league this season, and he may be flanked in the forward line by Romaine Sawyers and Kofi Shaw.
As for Stevenage, Carl Piergianni and Dan Sweeney were stationed in central defence ahead of goalkeeper Taye Ashby-Hammond against Blackpool, and they could retain their spots in the XI.
Defensive midfielder Harvey White is likely to be part of a trio consisting of himself, Louis Thompson and Daniel Phillips behind attackers Daniel Kemp, Jake Young and Brandan Hanlan.
Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:
Ward; Hunt, Wilson, Taylor, Thomas; Moore, Butcher; Sawyers, O'Donkor, Shaw; Sotiriou
Stevenage possible starting lineup:
Ashby-Hammond; James-Wildin, Sweeney, Piergianni, Butler; Thompson, White, Phillips; Kemp; Young, Hanlan
We say: Bristol Rovers 1-1 Stevenage
It is hard to see Bristol Rovers winning on Monday considering they come into the clash in such poor form, but they will at least take confidence from their draw with Wrexham.
Stevenage were strong from a defensive perspective last time out, but given their struggles in the final third, they are unlikely to score more than once.
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Lewis Nolan
