Bristol Roversvs.Peterborough

The visitors are fourth in the league, six points behind second-place Derby County, but boast a game in hand on those around them, while the hosts have little left to play for as they sit in 14th, equally 16 points above relegation and behind the playoff spots.

Match preview

Bristol Rovers have found themselves battling in the middle of the table for the entirety of this season, never dropping below 17th and failing to venture above ninth place.

After a 17th-place finish last season, new major shareholder Hussain Al-Saeed invested heavily in the summer window signing 13 players, signalling their intent to push higher up the league.

However, a start of four wins, four draws and five losses from the opening 13 fixtures under previous manager Joey Barton was deemed not good enough for the amount invested compared to the rest of the league, resulting in Barton's sacking.

Despite that, interim boss Andrew Mangan and current manager Matt Taylor have been unable to improve on that start as Bristol Rovers have continued to ply their trade in the middle of the table.

With just two games remaining the hosts are guaranteed to be competing in League One once again next year, but Taylor's side will still be looking for victory as a base to build upon for next season.

As for Peterborough, their performances have earned them a guaranteed spot in the playoff tournament come the end of the season, but they will be hoping to go one step further and finish in second place, earning automatic promotion.

They currently sit fourth in the table and six points behind second-placed Derby, but Darren Ferguson's side boasts a game in hand that could see that gap be halved.

That still leaves the outcome of who finishes in second place firmly in Derby's hands, but Ferguson will be hopeful that one of Cambridge United or Carlisle United could produce an upset and give his side the chance to claim that automatic promotion place.

If they are to pull of a miraculous takeover of second place then they must ensure they win all three of their remaining matches, as a Derby win and dropped points for Peterborough would guarantee Ferguson's side to be competing in the playoffs.

Bristol Rovers League One form:

L

D

L

L

W

W

Peterborough United League One form:

L

L

W

W

L

W

Peterborough United form (all competitions):

L

W

W

W

L

W

Team News

The hosts were able to avoid any fresh injury concerns in their 1-0 victory over Cambridge United on Tuesday, leaving them with just a single injury concern.

Grant Ward was forced off with injury in Bristol Rovers' 3-1 win against Cheltenham Town last weekend and is not expected to feature in this one.

Brandon Aguilera is likely to step in for the midfielder once again having replaced Ward during that match as well as starting in the midweek fixture.

As for the visitors, Ricky-Jade Jones was forced off with injury just seven minutes after coming off the bench for Peterborough United in their 4-1 win against Fleetwood Town, leaving the forward unavailable for this one.

Substitute Jonson Clarke-Harris had an immense effect in that victory, coming off the bench in the 79th minute with the score level before assisting one and scoring twice to win the game for his side, potentially earning his place in the starting lineup for this one.

Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:

Ward; Hoole, Taylor, Baggott, Vale; Evans, Rossiter; Thomas, Aguilera, Sinclair; Martin

Peterborough United possible starting lineup:

Steer; Katongo, Knight, Edwards, Burrows; Kyprianou, Collins; Ajiboye, Randall, Mason-Clark; Clarke-Harris

We say: Bristol Rovers 1-2 Peterborough United

This fixture has been dominated by Peterborough in recent seasons, winning 10 and losing just one of the previous 17 encounters between the two sides.

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