Rovers return to the Mem this weekend as they prepare to face Leyton Orient.

The upcoming fixture is the first league meeting between Rovers and Leyton Orient since December 2015. Below is all you need to know for the contest on Saturday. 

Manager's Preview

Joey Barton spoke to the local press on Friday morning at The Quarters, ahead of training in preparation for the match tomorrow. 

The main talking point was the injury to Leon Clarke, who was taken off in last week's match against Hartlepool. The Rovers boss also touched on Kenny Jackett's team ahead of Saturday's encounter at the Mem. 

The Rovers Manager said, "You have to be adaptable, that's the nature of the job. We'll have to come up with some different solutions to give ourselves a good opportunity of winning the game on Saturday. It probably wasn't what we envisaged it being when the window closed, but also Football is a forever moving game and the people who have the most longevity are the ones who are adaptable.

"I've known Kenny for a long time. You know they're going to be organised, you know they are going to be difficult to play against and it is no surprise to me that they have started in the manner that they have. They've made a good fist of the opening gambit and are certainly one of the teams to catch in the division."

Opposition View

Speaking ahead of his side's trip to the Mem this weekend, Leyton Orient manager Kenny Jackett has said that his side will need to be 'At their very best.'

Speaking to Leyton Orient, Jackett said, "It's a really big game for us. We want to try to do well in the league and this is our most important game of the week. We have to focus on ourselves, make sure we get our game right and do everything we can to be at our very best."

"Bristol Rovers are one of the bigger clubs in the division. They are very well supported and after coming down from League One, they will have ambitions of going straight back up."

Form Guide

Kenny Jackett's side have had a strong start to the season, taking 12 points from their first seven games. Last season, the O's finished 11th in the Sky Bet League Two, winning 17 of their games. Eight of those wins coming away from their home, Brisbane Road. 

In their previous fixture, Leyton Orient thrashed Oldham Athletic 4-0 at Brisbane Road. Our visitors picked up three draws in their last three away games. Orient have only lost one of their previous six games in the league, losing 2-1 against Harrogate Town. 

Our opponents will have in-form striker, Harry Smith's services at their disposal on Saturday. The centre-forward has found the net five times in the league this season in only six games.

View From the Press Bench

Jacob Ranson, Sports reporter for the East London Advertiser, gives us an insight into Saturday's opponents...

'It’s been a strong start from Leyton Orient, perhaps stronger than expected with so many new faces coming in during the summer, although there was always optimism after manager Kenny Jackett’s arrival.

'The O’s have only lost once in their opening seven fixtures, that being a disappointing performance against Harrogate Town, but other than that it’s all been very positive despite a few injury concerns.

'Jackett has brought a calm and composed approach to the club while he’s not aware to mix things up as he’s played a number of different formations to suit his players and the opposition they face. Most recently switching to a 3-5-2 which has seen them thump strugglers Oldham Athletic 4-0 and earn a 2-2 draw away to Newport County. 

'The key figures for Orient have been Omar Beckles, Theo Archibald, Harry Smith and Aaron Drinan so far this campaign.

'Although captain Darren Pratley and goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux have been ever-presents in the starting line-up. Those key faces with a blend of youngsters has proved to strike up a good balance and the O’s will now be hoping they can continue to push on.'

Ref Watch

David Rock is the man in the middle of Saturday's contest. Rock has officiated seven games so far this season, handing out a total of 17 yellow cards, and was in charge of our games at both Oxford United and Northampton Town last season. His last match at the Mem came during the 2019/20 season, coincidently against Leyton Orient, in a Papa John's Trophy encounter. In total, Rock has officiated 26 Sky Bet League Two fixtures, averaging 24.73 fouls per game and three yellow cards per fixture.

Betting Preview

EFL sponsors Sky Bet have Rovers priced at 7/4 for the win on Saturday. On the goal scorer markets, Brett Pitman is offered at 9/4 to be on the scoresheet at any time, while Aaron Collins is at 6/1 to open the scoring on Saturday. On the scoreline front , a 1-0 in favour of the Gas can be backed at 13/2. 

To bet with Sky Bet please click HERE. Please bet responsibly. 

Matchday Tickets

We advise supporters to purchase tickets at the earliest possible opportunity to minimise queues on a match day. Tickets are from the matchday ticket office and can be purchased online store up until kick-off. 

Print at Home tickets are the easiest way of securing your match ticket. When purchasing via this method you will receive a printable PDF, which when printed becomes your match tickets. Print at home tickets are available until kick-off. 

Print at home tickets should be printed prior to arrival at the ground, however, these can also be scanned from a smartphone, but the success of this depends on things like screen quality, cracks, brightness, size on screen etc. Our team will be on hand to assist with any issues with Print at Home tickets that occur at the turnstiles. 

To avoid queues, we advise supporters to proceed through the turnstiles in good time ahead of kick-off.

The matchday ticket office will be open from 10am on Saturday. 

How to Follow the Match

Overseas fans can watch Saturday’s game live on iFollow – with a match pass costing the equivalent of £10. Supporters based in the UK can purchase a audio match pass for £2.50. To find out more about iFollow, please click HERE.