Preview: Bristol Rovers vs. Port Vale - prediction, team news, lineups

Bristol Rovers and Port Vale will both look to bounce back from defeats when they meet at the Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.

The hosts are currently sitting in 14th place in the League One table, while the visitors head into the midweek fixture in sixth position

Match preview

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Bristol Rovers have experienced an inconsistent start to the League One season, having picked up 12 points from their opening nine matches.

After winning just one of their opening six league games, Bristol Rovers would have been relieved to claim back-to-back victories over Shrewsbury Town and Wigan Athletic.

However, their hopes of recording a third consecutive win were quashed by Peterborough United on Saturday, as goals from Archie Collins and David Ajiboye condemned the Gas to a 2-0 away defeat.

Joey Barton will be challenging his side to bounce back on Tuesday when they attempt to record consecutive home league wins for the first time since November/December 2022.

Incidentally, Port Vale were the second side that Bristol Rovers beat in those pair of home wins after a late Aaron Collins strike secured a 1-0 win in December's meeting.

Port Vale, meanwhile, would have entered Saturday's meeting with Bolton Wanderers in high spirits after they beat Sutton United last Tuesday to progress to the last 16 of the EFL Cup for the first time since the 2006-07 season.

However, their mood was dampened by Dion Charles, who scored the only goal of the contest to condemn Port Vale to a narrow 1-0 defeat.

While the Valiants have now failed to win their last three league games (D1, L2), they will be pleased to be sitting in the final playoff spot with 17 points to their name.

Having lost their previous two home matches in League One, Port Vale may be looking forward to heading on their travels, especially after avoiding defeat in their last four away contests (W2, D2).

That run of form will certainly offer encouragement to a side that finished last season with the fourth worst away record in the division.

Team News

Bristol Rovers are still unable to call upon George Friend, Grant Ward, James Wilson, Jordan Rossiter and Tristan Crama.

Jevani Brown is likely to come into the lineup for Luke Thomas, who was forced off in Saturday's defeat to Peterborough.

After joining on a short-term deal last week, Chris Martin made his debut as a substitute at the weekend, and the striker is likely to be given minutes in Tuesday's contest as he looks to build up his match fitness.

As for Port Vale, they remain without the services of Tom Conlon and Ryan Loft, who are recovering from hamstring and calf injuries respectively.

Lewis Cass is set to replace Alex Iacovitti, who is expected to miss out after being withdrawn in the first half of Saturday's defeat due to an injury issue.

Gavin Massey came off the bench to play the second half against Bolton, and the 30-year-old is in contention to start at the Memorial Stadium.

Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:

Cox; Hunt, Taylor, Grant, Vale; Bogarde, Finley, Evans; Brown, Collins, Marquis

Port Vale possible starting lineup:

Ripley; Cass, Smith, Balmer; Plant, Arblaster, Ojo, Grant; Garrity, Massey; Wilson

We say: Bristol Rovers 1-1 Port Vale

Although Port Vale will be looking to end their three-game winless league run, we think that they will have to settle for a point when they face a Bristol Rovers side that have taken four points from their last two home league matches.

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