Bristol Roversvs.Rochdale

The Dale also made it past this stage last season but were knocked out in their second-round tie against Plymouth Argyle, and as they are struggling in the league this season, the cup may provide an opportunity to find some momentum.

Match preview

League One side Bristol Rovers lost in the first round of the EFL Cup against Crawley Town, so Joey Barton will be expecting his side to produce a better performance in this competition, having also failed to progress in the EFL Trophy.

The furthest that Bristol Rovers have progressed in the FA Cup is the quarter-final stage, which they have reached on three separate occasions, most recently in the 2007-08 season when they lost to West Bromwich Albion.

They have not won in their last three league games, and their latest fixture was a 4-2 defeat to Derby County when all six goals were scored in the first half, with Bristol Rovers conceding three times in the opening 24 minutes.

The player to look out for in this game will be Aaron Collins, who has scored nine times this season and has created six goals; Collins averages a goal contribution in every game and will be looking to make his mark in the FA Cup.

Rochdale have been struggling in League Two this season, so an FA Cup tie may be perfect for them to find some momentum and reset their season. They won their first-round match in the EFL Cup against Burton Albion but were knocked out in the second by Sheffield Wednesday.

The fifth round of the FA Cup is the furthest they have gone in the competition, with their most recent appearance in the fifth round being in the 2017-18 season, when they faced Tottenham and forced a replay, which they lost 6-1.

In their last three league games, they have not won and have only picked up one point, with their most recent defeat coming against Walsall. Jim Bentley will be hoping that the FA Cup gives them a chance to break this string of games without a win.

Devante Rodney is the most likely source for goals in a team that has been struggling to find the net as he has scored three times this season but has not scored in his last six. However, he provided two assists, which makes him the player to watch out for if Rochdale are going to have a chance in this game.

Bristol Rovers form (all competitions):

W

W

W

D

D

L

Rochdale form (all competitions):

W

W

L

L

D

L

Team News

Joey Barton has not settled on his preferred pairing at the heart of his defence this season, with Luca Hoole, Bobby Thomas and Lewis Gibson rotating.

Gibson however missed the last game through injury and is set to miss a couple of games, as will forward Ryan Loft.

Luke McCormick could continue in place of Loft but if Joey Barton wants to mix things up, Scott Sinclair could also fill that position,

Devante Rodney was on the bench for Rochdale when they faced Tranmere Rovers but came back into the starting lineup for the game against Walsall.

The rest of the side was unchanged and should stay the same for this fixture, as they look to find some momentum.

Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:

Belshaw; Gordon, Thomas, Hoole, Gibbons; Rossiter, Finley, Evans; McCormick, Coburn, Collins

Rochdale possible starting lineup:

O'Donnell; John, Ebanks-Landell, Graham, Keohane; Diagouraga, Kelly, Sinclair, Ball, Rodney; Henderson

We say: Bristol Rovers 3-1 Rochdale

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