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

The visitors, meanwhile, require all three points if they are to stand a chance of moving back into the automatic promotion spots.

Match preview

Having been promoted from League Two on the final day of last season in dramatic circumstances, Joey Barton would almost certainly have taken a mid-table finish in his side's first season back in England's third tier.

The Gas have never been close to any sort of relegation danger throughout the campaign, with Antony Evans's last-gasp penalty securing a point for them at home against Derby County at the weekend.

That ensured Barton's side remain unbeaten with seven points from their last three games, with Charlton Athletic and Lincoln City only three points ahead of them in 11th and 12th positions respectively.

With five of Bristol Rovers' last six matches coming against sides above them in the table - including Sheff Wed on Tuesday - they appear to have a tough ask in terms of securing their first top half finish at this level in six years, but they will not give up on that front until it is mathematically impossible.

Sheff Wed, meanwhile, have a far greater need for victory when the two sides meet at Memorial Stadium, with just one win from their last eight matches helping Plymouth Argyle and Ipswich Town leapfrog the Owls into the automatic promotion spots.

Their rivals both have a game in hand on Darren Moore's side, too, meaning that anything shy of maximum points from their last four games may not be enough if they are to return to the Championship through the easiest route on offer.

Sheff Wed were at a loss to prevent Burton Albion from beating them at Pirelli Stadium last time out, with John Brayford's opener backed up by Marcus Helm's brace after Callum Paterson had pulled one back for the visitors before half-time.

Moore and his players are now in the horrible position of requiring favours from elsewhere if they are to achieve their ultimate goal - which appeared to be a foregone conclusion only a matter of weeks ago - but they can only focus on turning their own form around between now and the end of the campaign.

Bristol Rovers League One form:

W

L

L

W

W

D

Sheffield Wednesday League One form:

L

D

D

D

W

L

Team News

Bristol Rovers will remain without Nick Anderton through illness, with Barton likely to make a few changes given the quick turnaround between matches.

John Marquis could return to lead the attack, while Evans may be thrown in for a start after coming off the bench to score the crucial equaliser against Derby last time out.

Likewise, Michael Smith held his nerve to score a late penalty after coming off from the bench late on against Burton, and he is likely to replace Paterson to join Lee Gregory in the visitors' front line.

Dominic Iorfa may replace Dennis Adeniran in order to allow Liam Palmer to return to his favoured right-wing back role, a position from which he has surprised many to score five league goals this season.

Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:

Belshaw; Hoole, Connolly, Gibson, Gordon; Ward, Bogarde, Finley; Evans, Marquis, Sinclair

Sheffield Wednesday possible starting lineup:

Dawson; Iorfa, Flint, Famewo; Palmer, Vaulks, Bakinson, Bannan, Johnson; Smith, Gregory

We say: Bristol Rovers 1-2 Sheffield Wednesday

Both teams possess plenty of goals within their ranks, which should help create an open match, particularly given Sheff Wed's desperation for a victory.

We expect them to find one in narrow circumstances, with Bristol Rovers potentially set to be tired after chasing hard for an equaliser against Derby at the weekend.

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