Preview: Accrington Stanley vs. Bristol Rovers - prediction, team news, lineups

John Coleman's side are currently languishing in the relegation zone, two points from safety, while The Pirates are firmly involved in the intensely-competitive playoff picture.

Match preview

After only five victories throughout a so-far disheartening season, Accrington Stanley are staring at a return to the fourth tier of English football for the first time since 2018.

With only relegation rivals MK Dons recording fewer points than Coleman's side at the familiar settings of The Crowd Ground so far this season, The 'Owd Reds have not been able to experience the fondness of victory since the beginning of October.

After suffering consecutive league defeats against Morecambe on December 29 and then four days later against Derby County, Stanley will face an FA Cup third round replay following on from being held to a 1-1 draw by National League side Boreham Wood.

However, The 'Owd Reds were victorious in their endeavours to progress to the Football League Trophy semi-finals after a penalty-shootout victory over Lincoln City on Tuesday night.

In the wake of only one defeat in the last 12 meetings between the two sides, the hosts will be upbeat about accomplishing their mission of finally handing their supporters something to celebrate in the league come 5pm on Saturday.

Hoping to improve on their woeful historical head-to-head record, Bristol Rovers have been one of the surprise footballing packages in League One this season.

After five victories in their last eight league matches dating back to mid-November, Joey Barton's side continued their stellar run of form with consecutive three-point hauls in their next two games.

Rovers began 2023 with back-to-back victories over relegation candidates Cheltenham Town and Cambridge United.

The Pirates began their opening gambit of 2023 on New Year's Day, as goals from Aaron Collins and Josh Coburn secured a 2-1 victory for the hosts. Rovers followed that success with another win six days later at the Abbey Stadium by the same scoreline.

With one eye on promotion, Barton's side were relieved of their English Football League Trophy duties, albeit with a much-altered starting XI, by current league leaders Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday.

Accrington Stanley League One form:

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Accrington Stanley form (all competitions):

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Bristol Rovers League One form:

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Bristol Rovers form (all competitions):

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Team News

After being rested against Lincoln City in midweek, Toby Savin should be restored to the Accrington Stanley starting XI at the expense of cup goalkeeper Lukas Jensen.

In the wake of scoring both of The 'Owd Reds' goals in their midweek Football League Trophy quarter-final success, Aaron Pressley will be expected to keep his place as Stanley's main attacking asset in the final third alongside Shaun Whalley.

Similar to his counterpart in goal, James Belshaw will be expected to regain his place in goal for Bristol Rovers after being given the night off against Plymouth Argyle.

On the back of occupying the substitutes' bench with Belshaw, Aaron Collins and fellow attacking outlets Josh Coburn and Scott Sinclair could be recalled to the starting team sheet for the trip to Lancashire.

No other player in the third tier of English football has found the back of the net on more occasions than Collins this season, with the Welsh striker potentially in place to move clear at the top of the goalscoring charts, above Peterborough United's Jonson Clarke-Harris, with another goal or more this weekend.

Accrington Stanley possible starting lineup:

Savin; Astley, Rodgers, Clark, Fernandes; Coyle, Longelo, Hamilton, Martin; Pressley, Whalley

Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:

Belshaw; Hoole Thomas, Connolly, Gibbons, Gordon; McCormick, Sinclair, Loft; Collins, Coburn

We say: Accrington Stanley 1-3 Bristol Rovers

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