Match Preview - Rovers v Burton Albion

17 February 2023

Rovers entertain Burton in a League One clash.

The Gas are at home for the second time in a week as we welcome Burton Albion to The Memorial Stadium tomorrow (kick-off 3pm).

The game marks Brewers' boss Dino Maamria's birthday.

Manager Preview

Joey Barton said: "It will be a totally different game (to the 4-0 win earlier in the season). There was a sending-off in the first minute and we scored from the resulting free-kick. It was tricky for them from that moment on.

"We watched the game against Fleetwood and the game against Portsmouth and they are well-versed at what they do. They are not for the purists and I’m not sure you would want to play in those teams or pay to watch them.

"But they are getting results and they are fighting for their existence in League One and they have made a good fist of it since Dino has gone in there."

Player Preview

New centre-half Jarell Quansah said: "I've not seen a huge difference in the standard of football between (parent club) Liverpool and League One football. I've had to hit the ground running and I feel that as the games keep coming, I will keep improving. I'm sure the first goal will come; hopefully, it comes against Burton. We'll be ready for them, we know they'll be a difficult opponent."

Opposition View

Burton boss Dino Maamria said: "We got back at about four o’clock in the morning after Tuesday’s game (at Portsmouth),” said Maamria.

“There’s been a lot of rest and recovery between now and then. It’s always going to be difficult on the road, but we know the way Bristol Rovers play and how they’ll set up.

“We’ve got to keep showing that fighting spirit, that togetherness, that resilience, and that will-to-win. When we get the chances, we need to capitalise on them, but we have to be resilient as well.”

Form Guide

The latest five results for both sides:

Rovers: LLLLD

Burton: LWWWL

How to Follow

Tomorrow's game is available via Audio Pass on iFollow!

To find out more about iFollow, please click HERE.

Ref Watch

The referee for tomorrow's game is Benjamin Speedie, who is a late replacement for Chris Pollard. Speedie has officiated in twenty matches so far this season, including eleven in League One. Across all his games, he has awarded an average of 24 fouls, brandishing a total of 85 yellow and three red cards.

What Are The Odds?

If you fancy a flutter, here are the latest odds* for tomorrow's game. If you think Rovers will follow up Tuesday's 0-0 with another scoreless game, it's 11/1. However, if you think there's goals in the game, both sides to score is 4/6, with a double of Antony Evans to score and Rovers win priced at 5/1. Check out all the odds HERE.

*Odds correct at time of publishing.

Match Reports

Match Report - Rovers 1-2 Burton Albion

18 February 2023

Defeat at The Mem for Rovers.

Despite John Marquis' opener, Rovers were beaten by Burton Albion by two goals to one at The Mem.

Rovers made two changes to the side that started our stalemate against Ipswich Town on Tuesday evening. John Marquis replaced Harry Anderson and Calum Macdonald made his Rovers debut after replacing Lewis Gordon in the starting XI.

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John Marquis was picking up good positions in the opening stages of the clash, holding the ball up well to bring others into play. It was just past the tenth minute that Rovers opened the scoring. Scott Sinclair played in James Gibbons, whose cross was well met by the Rovers no.9, who powered his headed effort past Macgillivray in the Burton net.

Aaron Collins had a sight at goal on 16 minutes; the Rovers forward narrowly dragging his effort from range past the base of the post.

Collins almost made it two on the 20-minute mark. Great play from Gibbons saw the full-back cut back and breeze past his marker before rolling the ball into the feet of Aaron. Our no.10 looked to place his effort in the bottom right corner but saw his attempt zip past the post.

Play was stopped on 25 minutes, firstly for an injury to Burton's McCann and then for what appeared to be a medical situation in the crowd in the Seat Unique Stand.

Burton's Moon was shown a yellow card after a firm challenge on Scott Sinclair. Jarell Quansah had an excellent chance to put the Gas two to the good before half-time. A wicked delivery from Antony Evans found the head of the Liverpool loanee, Jarell got the power on the effort, but the direction was lacking.

Burton found themselves level moments after Jarell's chance. A long ball down the right-hand side fell to Taylor inside the area. Taylor got his head up and picked out Kirk, who slotted the ball past Balcombe to level the scores.

The hosts had their second 10 minutes after the restart. Sam Winnall bundled the ball into the net after Rovers had failed to clear the danger.

Joe Powell was shown a yellow after a cynical tackle on Evans as Rovers were looking to break away on the counter-attack.

A loose pass from Gordon presented Kirk with a chance to all but seal the three points for the visitors. Balcombe got down quickly and stopped Kirk's effort with his legs.

Burton did have the ball in the net for the third time in the game. Balcombe was unable to gather to ball and Taylor was on-hand to roll the ball into the net before the offside flag went up to spare Rovers' blushes.

Rovers pushed for an equaliser late on but were not able to take anything from the game in BS7. Next up for Rovers is a visit to the Kassam Stadium on Saturday, where we take on Oxford United (12:30).

Rovers: Balcombe, Connolly (Hoole 79), Macdonald (Gordon 61), Gibbons (Coburn 71), Quansah, Sinclair, Ward (Coutts 61), Evans, Marquis, Collins, Bogarde (Anderson 61).

Subs: Belshaw, Hoole, Coburn, Whelan, Coutts, Anderson, Gordon.

Burton Albion: Macgillivray, Brayford, Oshilaja, Hughes, Powell, Taylor, Winnall, Moon, McCann, Hamer, Ashworth.

Subs: Kean, Kirk, Walker, Shaughnessy, Ahadme, Carayol, Wakelin.

Referee: Ben Speedie.

Attendance: 8,164