Two teams at opposite ends of the League One table will clash on Tuesday night as relegation-threatened Bristol Rovers host promotion-hunting Stockport County at the Memorial Stadium.
The hosts are 19th in the standings with 31 points from their 28 matches, while the visitors are fourth in the table with 53 points from their 30 league fixtures.
Match preview
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After earning promotion from League Two in 2021-22, finishing third in the league to secure automatic promotion, Bristol Rovers gradually climbed up the table over the past two years.
They secured a 17th-placed finish in 2022-23 with 53 points, before climbing to a 15th-placed finish with 57 points last season, but the Gas have dropped down the standings this term.
Inigo Calderon, hired in December 2024 to replace Matt Taylor, has the side placed 19th in League Two with 31 points from 28 matches, leaving them only five points above the drop zone.
However, the Gas have played at least a game fewer than several teams around them, meaning they could move to 34 points and eight clear of the bottom four with a win on Tuesday.
Bristol Rovers will be boosted by their recent 3-1 victory against Peterborough Utd, and they have been at their best at home with 21 points from 13 fixtures, but they will be underdogs against Stockport County.
The visitors have made a remarkable rise up the English football pyramid over recent years, lifting the National League North title in 2018-19, the National League title in 2021-22 and the League Two title in 2023-24.
The Hatters may not be in the race for the title this time around, trailing leaders Birmingham City by 10 points, with the Blues also having three games in hand, but they are certainly in the fight for yet another promotion.
David Challinor, in charge since November 2021, has guided the side to fourth in the table with 53 points after 30 matches played, trailing second-placed Wycombe Wanderers by six points, though they have played at least one match more than the teams around them.
Despite that, Challinor will be looking for his side to strengthen their place in the playoff spots and close the gap on Wycombe in the automatic promotion spot, and the visitors will be confident given their five-game winning run coming into Tuesday's fixture.
Team News
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Gaitlin O'Donkor, Promise Omochere and Shaq Forde are all expected to miss this match due to injury issues, while Jamie Lindsay could return after being absent from their latest squad.
Following the 3-1 win against Peterborough Utd in their most recent match, Calderon could decide to name the same starting team in this one, with Chris Martin leading the line.
As for Stockport County, despite losing top scorer Louie Barry, who was recalled by Aston Villa, the visitors have won each of their last five matches and are likely to continue with a strike partnership of Isaac Olaofe and Kyle Wootton.
The rest of the side that have featured in the starting lineup for the last five victories are also likely to retain their place here, including Oliver Norwood and Lewis Bate in the middle of the park.
Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:
Griffiths; Hunt, Wilson, Taylor, Sousa; Ward, Butcher; Thomas, Hutchinson, Sotiriou; Martin
Stockport County possible starting lineup:
Hinchliffe; Knoyle, Connolly, Pye; Hills, Norwood, Bate, Touray; Collar; Olaofe, Wootton
We say: Bristol Rovers 1-3 Stockport County
The hosts will be boosted from their recent victory, but given the contrast in both sides' league standings and Stockport's impressive winning streak, we believe the visitors will win this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
