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

Bristol Rovers will be aiming to bounce back from their Boxing Day defeat when they host Exeter City in League One on Thursday evening.

Exeter, meanwhile, drew for the third time in four matches as they squandered an opportunity to move into the top half of the table.

Match preview

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Having only gained promotion from League Two last season, Joey Barton will be delighted with his side's rapid adjustment to life in the third tier of English football.

Despite losing 2-1 to Wycombe Wanderers on Boxing Day, Barton remained adamant that his side remain on the right track, which is hardly surprising considering that they are just four places and four points behind Gareth Ainsworth's side in the final playoff spot.

Barton's side may not even be competing at this level had it not been for their remarkable 7-0 victory against Scunthorpe United on the final day of last season, which saw them pip Northampton Town to the final automatic promotion spot on goal difference in dramatic style.

Exeter finished one place ahead of Rovers in League Two last season, of course, suggesting that Thursday's encounter will be a fascinating snapshot of the progress that both teams have made.

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Indeed, despite losing their head coach Matt Taylor to Rotherham United in October, Exeter look set to comfortably avoid any relegation concerns in their first season back in League One.

Former Scotland defender Gary Caldwell was chosen as Taylor's successor, but after winning two of his first five league games in charge, the 40-year-old has failed to win any of the Grecians' ensuing five matches.

The 0-0 stalemate against Portsmouth on Boxing Day was the third time that the spoils have been shared in Exeter's last four games, having only scored two goals in their current winless run of five matches.

As such, Caldwell will be seeking huge offensive improvements from his players in Bristol on Thursday, particularly given that their opponents have already conceded 37 goals this season.

Team News

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Barton's only availability issue appears to be regarding Nick Anderton, who continues his recovery from a rare bone cancer condition.

As such, considering the effusive praise of his players, the former Manchester City midfielder is likely to name an unchanged XI from the side which lost to Wycombe last time out.

Exeter, meanwhile, will travel without Kyle Taylor due to the midfielder remaining sidelined by an ankle fracture.

Rekeem Harper, who is on loan from Ipswich Town, could be in line for a start in the engine room in order to provide some fresh legs in the middle of the park.

Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:

Belshaw; Hoole, Thomas, Connolly, Gibson; Evans, Coutts, Sinclair; Marquis, Coburn, Collins

Exeter City possible starting lineup:

Blackman; Sweeney, Diabate, Hartridge; Caprice, Harper, Kite, Sparkes; Jay; Brown, Stansfield

We say: Bristol Rovers 2-1 Exeter City

Both teams enjoy playing on the front foot, so it would be a surprise if either team managed a clean sheet at Memorial Stadium on Thursday evening.

However, Bristol Rovers are undoubtedly in better form at present, with Barton hoping to claim his side's fourth win in six league matches.

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