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

The hosts are currently sat in ninth position, with one point and one place separating them from the Chairboys.

Match preview

Bristol Rovers will be looking to avoid a third consecutive defeat in all competitions after losing their last two games by a 2-0 scoreline.

The Gas were knocked out of the EFL Trophy following a 2-0 defeat to Plymouth Argyle in the quarter-finals, before they were beaten by Accrington Stanley in the league last weekend.

Ahead of the weekend's round of fixtures, Joey Barton's side sit three points adrift of the playoff places, although they have played three games more than Barnsley, who occupy sixth position.

While the Gas are the fourth-highest scorers in the league, only two teams have conceded more goals than them this season, suggesting that there is still work to do defensively.

As they attempt to move closer to the top six, Bristol Rovers can draw inspiration from their recent impressive home record, after winning four, drawing two and losing one of their last seven home league games.

Meanwhile, the visitors have played two games more than sixth-placed Barnsley, but they could move into the playoffs this weekend if they win and results elsewhere go in their favour.

Although Wycombe have lost two of their last three league games, Gareth Ainsworth may not be too alarmed by those two 1-0 defeats, as they both took place against the two teams currently sat in the automatic promotion places, Plymouth and Sheffield Wednesday.

Encouragingly, only three teams have picked up more points in their last 10 league games than Wycombe, who have collected 17 following a run of five wins, two draws and three defeats.

The Chairboys will be confident of claiming all three points on Saturday after winning three of their last four meetings with Bristol Rovers, including a 2-1 victory over the Gas on Boxing Day.

After thrashing Peterborough United 3-0 in their most recent away game, Wycombe have the chance to claim a second straight away victory on Saturday.

Bristol Rovers League One form:

W

L

L

W

W

L

Bristol Rovers form (all competitions):

L

L

W

W

L

L

Wycombe Wanderers League One form:

D

W

W

L

W

L

Team News

Bristol Rovers are currently without the services of Jordan Rossiter, Lewis Gibson, Harry Anderton and Josh Grant due to injury issues.

Goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe joined the club on loan from Brentford on Thursday, and he could go straight into the starting lineup for his Bristol Rovers debut.

Aaron Collins is the joint-highest scorer in League One - alongside Peterborough's Jonson Clarke-Harris - and the forward will be looking to add to the 13 goals that he has scored this season.

As for the visitors, they may be unable to call upon Dominic Gape, who has missed the last four matches through injury, while Tjay De Barr could also be unavailable.

Following a short spell on the sidelines, Alfie Mawson is set to return to the matchday squad, although he may have to settle for a place on the bench.

After dropping out of the lineup for the defeat to Sheffield Wednesday, Sam Vokes could return to the side to lead the line on Saturday.

Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:

Balcombe; Hoole, Connolly, Gibbons; McCormick, Coutts, Finley, Sinclair; Evans; Collins, Coburn

Wycombe Wanderers possible starting lineup:

Stryjek; Grimmer, Tafazolli, Jacobson, Obita; Wing, Scowen; Mehmeti, Wheeler, McCleary, Vokes

We say: Bristol Rovers 1-2 Wycombe Wanderers

With the two teams separated by just one point, we expect Saturday's game to be a close-fought contest, but after winning three of the last four head-to-head meetings, we think that Wycombe will go on to claim a narrow victory.

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