Preview: Bristol Rovers vs. Exeter City - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts currently occupy 12th place in the standings, while the Grecians are hovering just above the drop zone in 20th position.

Match preview

Bristol Rovers may have rounded off 2023 with four wins in five competitive matches, but they have been unable to carry that promising run of form into the new year.

Instead, the Gas are still searching for their first win of 2024, having drawn one and lost four of their last five games.

The Gas began the new year with a defeat to Wycombe Wanderers and a draw in the FA Cup against Norwich City, before they went on to lose to Barnsley.

After being beaten 3-1 by Norwich in the replay, Bristol Rovers experienced more disappointment at the weekend, as a Chris Martin strike proved fruitless in a 3-1 defeat to Blackpool.

Although they may have experienced a poor start to the year, the Gas will at least fancy their chances of finding the net against Exeter, having scored in each of their last 12 league games.

While the hosts are sitting in midtable, their opponents are involved in a relegation battle, having won seven, drawn six and lost 17 of their 27 league matches.

After claiming their most recent victory in a home meeting with Carlisle United earlier this month, Exeter have gone on to take just one point from their last two matches.

Gary Caldwell's side lost 2-0 in their away clash with Blackpool, before they played out a goalless home draw against Cambridge United on Saturday.

With Exeter now set to head on their travels, they will be desperate to end their poor run of form on the road, having taken just one point from their last nine away league games since beating Burton Albion on September 2.

They can at least draw confidence from the fact they recorded a dramatic 4-3 victory in their most recent away game against Bristol Rovers in December 2022 - a result that extended their unbeaten record in head-to-head meetings to six competitive matches (W4, D2).

Bristol Rovers League One form:

L

W

W

L

L

L

Bristol Rovers form (all competitions):

W

L

D

L

L

L

Exeter City League One form:

W

D

L

W

L

D

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Team News

Bristol Rovers will be without the services of Grant Ward, who is set to miss around eight weeks of action due to a hamstring injury.

Jordan Rossiter remains a long-term absentee, while Tuesday's contest may come too soon for James Wilson and George Friend.

Sam Finley is also a doubt for the visitors after the midfielder missed the narrow defeat to Blackpool with a hip issue.

As for the visitors, they are still unable to call upon Demetri Mitchell and Admiral Muskwe due to their respective injury issues.

Vincent Harper, Jack Fitzwater and Caleb Watts are closing in on a return to first-team action, but it is currently unclear whether any of the trio will be available for the midweek encounter.

Dion Rankine and Reece Cole are both in contention for a recall after dropping out of the lineup for Saturday's goalless draw with Cambridge.

Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:

Cox; Hoole, Taylor, Crama; Hunt, Evans, Grant, Vale; Thomas, McCormick, Martin

Exeter City possible starting lineup:

Sinisalo; Sweeney, Diabate, Jules; Rankine, Carroll, Cole, Purrington; Aitchison, Harris; Cox

We say: Bristol Rovers 1-1 Exeter City

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