Bristol Rovers will hope to distance themselves from the chasing relegation pack when they host promotion hopefuls Bolton Wanderers in their 36th League One game of the season at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
The home team are fifth last in 20th place with 39 points following their 1-0 victory over Huddersfield Town on Saturday, but they are only one place and six points above the relegation zone, while Bolton are in sixth place with 60 points and beat Burton Albion 2-1 on March 8.
Match preview
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Bristol Rovers survived a first-half onslaught from Huddersfield, who somehow trailed at the interval despite creating over 1.32 xG, but the victors restricted their opponents to just one shot inside the penalty area in the second half.
The hosts’ win saw them earn their second consecutive clean sheet, something that they had not achieved since November 2024, a period of 19 games.
Boss Inigo Calderon‘s side have only scored 36 goals in the third tier – the joint fifth worst record – but they have found the back of the net 11 times in their last eight league games, as many as they had managed in their prior 16.
The Pirates’ form in the last weeks has been poor given they have been defeated in three of their past five, though they are unbeaten in two, emerging victorious once.
However, Calderon’s team boast a strong record at home, with the club winning four, drawing one and losing just one of their six most recent matches at Memorial Stadium.
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As for the visitors, they can perhaps count themselves fortunate to have taken all three points against Burton considering they failed to create any big chances and produced just one shot on target from inside the box.
It should be said that Bolton’s timid display on the weekend has not been the norm this campaign, and they in fact rank as the league’s second best offensive team having scored 57 goals.
Manager Steven Schumacher‘s side currently occupy the last of four promotion playoff spots, and though the gap to seventh-placed Huddersfield Town is just two points, his team have played a game less than the Terriers.
The Trotters’ recent record is outstanding given they are unbeaten in their past six in the league, emerging victorious on five occasions.
Bolton’s form on the road in League One is strong considering they have triumphed in four, drawn one and lost two of their last seven away from home.
Team News
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Bristol Rovers may start centre-backs Connor Taylor, James Wilson and Sil Swinkels given the trio kept a clean sheet against Huddersfield.
Matt Butcher and Isaac Hutchinson are likely to be stationed in a double pivot, though forward Taylor Moore could come into the XI considering he replaced striker Promise Omochere after just eight minutes on the weekend.
As for Bolton, expect centre-backs William Forrester and Eoin Toal to feature in front of goalkeeper Luke Southwood.
Josh Sheehan scored against Burton Albion and he may be partnered in a midfield three by Aaron Morley and George Thomason.
Klaidi Lolos was brought on against Burton for winger Aaron Collins, who was taken off in the final minutes due to injury, and he is a probable candidate to play on the right side of attack.
Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:
Ward; Taylor, Wilson, Swinkels; Hunt, Butcher, Hutchinson, Mola; Sotiriou, Moore, Sinclair
Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Southwood; Dacres-Cogley, Forrester, Toal, Murphy; Morley, Sheehan, Thomason; Lolos, McAtee, Osei-Tutu
We say: Bristol Rovers 1-3 Bolton Wanderers
Bristol Rovers have struggled for victories in recent weeks, and they may struggle on Tuesday against their in-form opponents.
Bolton will be full of confidence despite their subpar display last time out, and their excellent away record should make them favourites to claim all three points.
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