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

While the visitors are currently top of the standings, Bristol Rovers are sitting in 12th position with 28 points to their name.

Match preview

Former Rotherham United boss Matt Taylor has experienced mixed results since becoming Bristol Rovers boss at the start of the month.

Taylor began his tenure with a defeat in the EFL Trophy and a loss in his opening league game, before he got up and running with a 4-2 victory over Crewe Alexandra in the second round of the FA Cup.

After going on to claim a 2-1 victory against 10-man Bolton Wanderers, the Gas were brought down to earth in Saturday's away clash with Blackpool.

Bristol Rovers went into the break on level terms after John Marquis found the net in a third successive game to cancel out Oliver Norburn's opener, but second-half strikes from Jake Beesley and Jordan Rhodes gave the Tangerines the upper hand and condemn the Gas to a 3-1 defeat.

Following three consecutive away matches, Bristol Rovers will now return to the Memorial Stadium, where they are currently enjoying a seven-game unbeaten run in all competitions (W4, D3).

Although Portsmouth are sitting top of the standings, they go into the Boxing Day fixture off the back of two frustrating results.

After their EFL Trophy campaign came to an end with a 5-2 defeat to Wimbledon, Pompey were held to a 1-1 draw in Saturday's league meeting with relegation-threatened Fleetwood Town.

Colby Bishop kept his composure from the penalty spot to give his side the lead in first-half stoppage time, but a 63rd-minute effort from Fleetwood's Josh Earl ensured Pompey had to be content with a point, bringing an end to their four-game winning league run.

Despite missing out on a victory at the weekend, John Mousinho's side still boast a sizeable five-point cushion over second-placed Peterborough United, while they are seven points clear of Bolton Wanderers in third spot.

They will fancy their chances of at least maintaining that gap, having won each of their previous four away league games, scoring 11 goals and keeping three clean sheets in that period.

Bristol Rovers League One form:

W

L

D

D

W

L

Bristol Rovers form (all competitions):

D

L

D

W

W

L

Portsmouth League One form:

L

W

W

W

W

D

Portsmouth form (all competitions):

W

W

W

W

L

D

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Team News

Bristol Rovers could be without George Friend, Jordan Rossiter and James Gibbons, while midfielder Luke McCormick is a doubt.

They also have concerns over the availability of Josh Grant, who sustained a knock to his ankle in the defeat to Blackpool.

The hosts will be hoping that Jack Hunt and James Wilson can recover from injury and illness respectively to play a role in Tuesday's contest.

As for the visitors, they are still unable to call upon the injured trio of Connor Ogilvie, Regan Poole and Tino Anjorin.

Right-back Zach Swanson and midfielder Tom Lowery are also doubts for the Boxing Day fixture due to groin and calf problems respectively.

Despite seeing his side held to a draw at the weekend, Mousinho could be tempted to name an unchanged starting lineup.

Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:

Cox; Wilson, Crama, Taylor; Thomas, Finley, Ward, Evans, Vale; Collins, Marquis

Portsmouth possible starting lineup:

Norris; Rafferty, Raggett, Shaughnessy, Sparkes; Morrell, Pack; Kamara, Robertson, Lane; Bishop

We say: Bristol Rovers X-Y Portsmouth

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