Bristol Rovers vs. Rotherham United - prediction, team news, lineups

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laligoal

Feb 28, 2025 - 19:09

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Bristol Rovers vs. Rotherham United - prediction, team news, lineups

Separated by three points in the bottom half of the League One table, Bristol Rovers and Rotherham United will do battle at the Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

Back-to-back defeats have seen the hosts fall to just two points above the relegation zone, while their visitors sit 14th having not won any of their last five matches.

Match preview

Bristol Rovers head coach Inigo Calderon on December 26, 2024 © Imago

Bristol Rovers return to the Memorial Stadium on Saturday aiming to get back to winning ways and extend their lead over League One's relegation zone, having suffered back-to-back defeats after an improved run.

Following Inigo Calderon's December appointment, the Gas moved away from the bottom four with an upturn in form early in the new year, earning 13 points from a seven-match span, culminating in 3-1 home wins over fellow strugglers Peterborough United and Burton Albion either side of a draw with high-flying Stockport County.

They were unable to extend that unbeaten streak any further last week, though, visiting second-placed Wycombe Wanderers and suffering a 2-0 defeat, before they most recently faced a trip to Northampton Town at the weekend.

Calderon's men went 1-0 up through Scott Sinclair early in the second half of that contest, but Dara Costelloe drew their hosts level on the hour mark before Nesta Guinness-Walker netted the decisive goal 12 minutes from time, condemning the Gas to a 17th league defeat of the season.

As a result of those consecutive defeats, Bristol Rovers have dropped back down to 19th spot and just three points above the relegation zone with 14 games remaining, and they will be keen to extend that cushion with a much-needed victory to make it five home games unbeaten.

Rotherham United manager Steve Evans during the EFL Sky Bet League 1 match between Wycombe Wanderers and Rotherham United at Adams Park, High Wycombe, England, on 24 August 2024. [on August 25, 2024] © Imago

Their visitors, meanwhile, head south aiming to end their dismal run of form in the bottom half of England's third tier.

Following their relegation from the Championship last time around, Rotherham United have endured a disappointing campaign thus far, currently sitting 15th having only earned 38 points from their 32 games, winning just 10 of those and losing 14.

Four of those victories came in a six-match span at the beginning of 2025, but Steve Evans's side have since managed just one more point in their last five attempts courtesy of a goalless stalemate away at Blackpool.

The Millers then visited Reading and left empty-handed from a 2-1 defeat, before most recently hosting Barnsley last Saturday and again falling short as Adam Phillips netted the only goal of the game from the penalty spot early in the second half.

Now sitting six points outside of League One's top half and six above the relegation zone, Rotherham United will be desperate to kickstart an improved run to end the campaign and strengthen their standing.

Bristol Rovers League One form:

Rotherham United League One form:

Rotherham United form (all competitions):

Team News

Bristol Rovers will head into the weekend without midfielders Romaine Sawyers, Grant Ward and Kamil Conteh and attackers Promise Omochere and Gatlin O'Donkor due to ongoing injuries.

Jamie Lindsay could return to the midfield from the outset against his former club, likely joining Ruel Sotiriou and Isaac Hutchinson, who leads the squad with six goals this season.

In the absence of O'Donkor and Omochere, veteran Chris Martin should continue to lead the line with support from Scott Sinclair and Luke Thomas.

Rotherham United's injury worries have eased slightly in recent weeks, but they remain without Sean Raggett, Dan Gore and Alex MacDonald due to ongoing issues.

Defender Cameron Humphreys, who has impressed at the base of the midfield since the turn of the year, missed the Barnsley contest through illness but should be deemed ready to return from the start and could join Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu and Joe Powell.

Further forward, captain Jonson Clarke-Harris may return to the starting XI after his injury and subsequent substitute appearance last time out, joining top scorer Sam Nombe up front with support from key man Mallik Wilks, who made a first start following his own injury layoff against Barnsley.

Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:
Ward; Hunt, Wilson, Taylor, Sousa; Sotiriou, Lindsay; Thomas, Hutchinson, Sinclair; Martin

Rotherham United possible starting lineup:
Phillips; Rafferty, Odoffin, Jules, James; Mpanzu, Humphreys, Powell; Wilks; Clarke-Harris, Nombe