MX23RW : Saturday, December 14 11:03:42| >> :120:24981:24981:
[monks data]
Bristol Rovers
League One | Gameweek 43
Apr 18, 2023 at 7.45pm UK
Memorial Stadium
Sheffield Wednesday logo

Bristol Rovers
1 - 2
Sheff Weds

Collins (46')
Barton (16')
FT(HT: 0-2)
Bannan (28'), Famewo (41')
Smith (15'), Vaulks (52'), Palmer (88')

Preview: Bristol Rovers vs. Sheffield Wednesday - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Tuesday's League One clash between Bristol Rovers and Sheffield Wednesday, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Bristol Rovers will be aiming to keep pace with the teams inside the top half of the table when they host Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday evening.

The visitors, meanwhile, require all three points if they are to stand a chance of moving back into the automatic promotion spots.


Match preview

Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton pictured in May 2021© Reuters

Having been promoted from League Two on the final day of last season in dramatic circumstances, Joey Barton would almost certainly have taken a mid-table finish in his side's first season back in England's third tier.

The Gas have never been close to any sort of relegation danger throughout the campaign, with Antony Evans's last-gasp penalty securing a point for them at home against Derby County at the weekend.

That ensured Barton's side remain unbeaten with seven points from their last three games, with Charlton Athletic and Lincoln City only three points ahead of them in 11th and 12th positions respectively.

With five of Bristol Rovers' last six matches coming against sides above them in the table - including Sheff Wed on Tuesday - they appear to have a tough ask in terms of securing their first top-half finish at this level in six years, but they will not give up on that front until it is mathematically impossible.

Sheffield Wednesday manager Darren Moore before the match on February 7, 2023© Reuters

Sheff Wed, meanwhile, have a far greater need for victory when the two sides meet at Memorial Stadium, with just one win from their last eight matches helping Plymouth Argyle and Ipswich Town leapfrog the Owls into the automatic promotion spots.

Their rivals both have a game in hand on Darren Moore's side, too, meaning that anything shy of maximum points from their last four games may not be enough if they are to return to the Championship through the easiest route on offer.

Sheff Wed were at a loss to prevent Burton Albion from beating them at Pirelli Stadium last time out, with John Brayford's opener backed up by Marcus Helm's brace after Callum Paterson had pulled one back for the visitors before half time.

Moore and his players are now in the horrible position of requiring favours from elsewhere if they are to achieve their ultimate goal - which appeared to be a foregone conclusion only a matter of weeks ago - but they can only focus on turning their own form around between now and the end of the campaign.

Bristol Rovers League One form:

Sheffield Wednesday League One form:


Team News

Sheffield Wednesday's Josh Windass celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on January 7, 2023© Reuters

Bristol Rovers will remain without Nick Anderton through illness, with Barton likely to make a few changes given the quick turnaround between matches.

John Marquis could return to lead the attack, while Evans may be thrown in for a start after coming off the bench to score the crucial equaliser against Derby last time out.

Likewise, Michael Smith held his nerve to score a late penalty after coming off from the bench late on against Burton, and he is likely to replace Paterson to join Lee Gregory in the visitors' front line.

Dominic Iorfa may replace Dennis Adeniran in order to allow Liam Palmer to return to his favoured right wing-back role, a position from which he has surprised many to score five league goals this season.

Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:
Belshaw; Hoole, Connolly, Gibson, Gordon; Ward, Bogarde, Finley; Evans, Marquis, Sinclair

Sheffield Wednesday possible starting lineup:
Dawson; Iorfa, Flint, Famewo; Palmer, Vaulks, Bakinson, Bannan, Johnson; Smith, Gregory


SM words green background

We say: Bristol Rovers 1-2 Sheffield Wednesday

Both teams possess plenty of goals within their ranks, which should help create an open match, particularly given Sheff Wed's desperation for a victory.

We expect them to find one in narrow circumstances, with Bristol Rovers potentially set to be tired after chasing hard for an equaliser against Derby at the weekend.



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


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data


ID:511556:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect10837:
Written by
Brett Curtis

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Bristol Rovers vs Sheff Weds

Bristol Rovers
34.8%
Draw
4.3%
Sheffield Wednesday
60.9%
23
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Sheffield Wednesday's Josh Windass celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on January 7, 2023
Read Next:
Friday's League One predictions including Oxford vs. Sheffield Wednesday
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Wycombe WanderersWycombe18124239211840
2Wrexham19124328111740
3Birmingham CityBirmingham17123232161639
4Huddersfield TownHuddersfield18112528161235
5Stockport CountyStockport1996431191233
6Reading189453025531
7Bolton WanderersBolton179352827130
8Barnsley197662725227
9Lincoln CityLincoln197662423127
10Mansfield TownMansfield177372222024
11Exeter CityExeter187381619-324
12Charlton AthleticCharlton186571819-123
13Blackpool186572631-523
14Stevenage176471316-322
15Peterborough UnitedPeterborough186393332121
16Leyton Orient186391920-121
17Northampton TownNorthampton195682126-521
18Bristol Rovers186391726-921
19Wigan AthleticWigan185581516-120
20Rotherham UnitedRotherham175571620-420
21Crawley TownCrawley185491728-1119
22Cambridge UnitedCambridge1844101829-1116
23Burton Albion1825111630-1411
24Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury1832131835-1711


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!