Rovers are back at The Mem this weekend as Joey Barton's team prepare to take on Karl Robinson's Oxford United.
The Gas will be looking for an immediate return to winning ways following our first-round EFL Cup exit at the hands of Crawley Town on Tuesday evening. Following the game, Joey Barton said that his team's full focus is once again on League One action.
Manager's Preview
Opposition View
Oxford United manager, Karl Robinson who has known Joey Barton for a number of years has warned that his side know that they will be expecting a difficult test on their visit to BS7 tomorrow afternoon:
“He is someone that I’ve known for years. "Obviously he’s really happy that they managed to go up the way they did, last game of the season. He’s someone that will try and build a team to suit his personality so we just know that we’re going to be in for a difficult game.
"But we have had two good results this week and we will go there in really good shape."
Familiar Faces
Two former Rovers players currently ply their trade for The U's. Billy Bodin joined Oxford in 2021 after the forward's three-year stint at Preston North End. Bodin joined Rovers in 2015 and enjoyed a three-year stay at The Mem putting on the blue and white quarters 95 times and scoring 35 goals.
Matty Taylor is the other former Rovers player who currently plays for Oxford United. Gasheads will not need reminding of his infamous move to Bristol City in 2017. Taylor played a total of 118 games for the Gas, scoring 61 goals.
Ref Watch
Oliver Langford is the man in charge of Saturday's League One fixture at The Mem. Langford was the referee for our crucial 1-0 away victory over Northampton Town in March 2022 where the Gas claimed all three points thanks to a rapid Harry Anderson goal in the first minute of the game. In that tie, Langford produced four yellow cards a piece for both sides. Throughout his career, Langford has taken charge of nine League One fixtures where he has handed out a total of 36 yellow cards with an average of four yellow cards per game. Langford has yet to send a player off in a League One fixture.
Weather Warning
With the hot weather continuing into the weekend, the DCMS have once again issued advice on how to stay safe during a heatwave – please click HERE.
Supporters should also pay particular attention to the weather conditions when travelling home and away this weekend.
In addition, the DCMS have supplied a suite of graphics (attached) offering advice ahead of the rising temperatures which includes: to stay hydrated, seek shade and look out for others.
Supporters are advised to carry water and will be allowed into the ground for this game with their own plastic bottles, with the tops removed. No glass or metal bottles can be allowed for safety reasons.
Drinks will also be available for purchase from the usual outlets within the ground.
Alcohol must not be brought to the stadium site. Cans and glass bottles are not permitted at The Mem. Any bottles or cans containing alcoholic drinks must be disposed of at the gates entering the site.
Rail Strikes
A reminder that there will be rail strikes taking place tomorrow (Saturday, 13 August) which will have a disrupting effect on football supporters attending EFL fixtures.
The following services will be affected by the industrial action:
- Arriva Rail London
- Avanti West Coast
- Crosscountry
- Greater Anglia (including Stansted Express)
- Great Western
- Hull Trains
- LNER
- London Overground
- Southeastern
- West Midlands Trains
Betting Preview
EFL sponsors Sky Bet have priced Rovers at 17/10 for the win on Saturday afternoon. Rovers can also be backed at 100/1 to win the game 4-3 as we did in our Emirates FA Cup First-Round replay last season. On the goalscorer markets, Sam Finley is priced at 14/1 to open the scoring, whilst Harry Anderson can be backed at 11/2 to score at any time throughout the clash at The Mem.
Odds correct at the time of writing. To bet with Sky Bet please click HERE. Please bet responsibly.
How to Watch
This weekend's Sky Bet League One fixture against Oxford United is live on iFollow!
Match passes for the game cost £10 - with the majority of the revenue generated coming back to the football club.
To purchase a match pass - please click HERE.
