Salford City v Bristol Rovers
Sky Bet League Two, Peninsula Stadium, Saturday 24 January 2026, 3:00pm KO
Bristol Rovers will be looking to get back to winning ways with a second away victory of 2026 when they travel to Salford City in Sky Bet League Two.
The Gas started the year with an emphatic 3-0 triumph against Shrewsbury Town at the Croud Meadow, with Fabrizio Cavegn netting a fabulous second-half hat-trick. However, Rovers had to wait a long time to return to fourth-tier action after their fixtures against Barrow and Walsall were postponed.
The Gas returned to Sky Bet League Two football last weekend but fell to a 1-0 loss against Colchester United at The Memorial Stadium. With the fixture heading towards a goalless affair, Owura Edwards struck a superb winner five minutes from the end to give the U's all three points.
Salford last played on Tuesday night, beating Swindon Town 3-2 in the third round of the Emirates FA Cup after a brace from Ryan Graydon and a free-kick from Luke Garbutt.
Read everything you need to know about the fixture below...
Tickets...
Please note that this fixture will be eTickets only and will appear as Bristol Rovers home tickets, but will be valid at the turnstiles at the Peninsula Stadium.
Tickets for this fixture will go off sale online and in-store at 10am on Friday 23 January.
Travel...
To drive from Bristol to Salford City’s Peninsula Stadium, start by joining the M5 northbound from Bristol, following signs for Birmingham. Stay on the M5 as it merges with the M6 northbound, continuing towards Manchester and Preston. This is the longest stretch of the journey, so expect around two and a half to three hours of driving depending on traffic.
As you approach Greater Manchester, follow signs for Salford and the Trafford Centre and leave the M6 at the appropriate junction for Salford. From there, continue on the main A-roads towards Eccles and Salford Quays, following local signs for Salford City FC or Peninsula Stadium.
Due to our proximity to Manchester city centre, there are excellent National Rail links to Manchester Victoria and Manchester Piccadilly, which have nearby connections to get you near to the Peninsula Stadium.
Salford Crescent is the closest station. However, it has no direct connections to the ground.
Opposition...
Salford are in Sky Bet League Two for the seventh straight season. However, if their form continues the way it is, they could be heading to the third tier for the first time.
Back-to-back 2-0 defeats against Bromley and Milton Keynes Dons in November put them 12th in the table, but they have won six of their previous eight matches and drawn two. A thrilling 3-2 win against promotion rivals Swindon Town in their previous league outing means they are fourth in the table, level on points with Walsall and Swindon in the two positions above.
They have made two additions in the January transfer window, adding defender Zach Awe on an 18-month deal from Sky Bet Championship outfit Southampton and striker Ryan Graydon from Fleetwood Town.
Previous Meetings...
Rovers have only faced Salford three times in their history, winning twice and drawing once. The Pirates claimed a memorable victory at The Mem in the reverse fixture this term, with Ellis Harrison and Fabrizio Cavegn scoring to help the Gas come from behind to lead before Luke Southwood saved a stoppage-time penalty from Luke Garbutt.
Rovers have only played once away at Salford, with Sam Nicholson's opener cancelled out by Brandon Thomas-Asante's injury-time equaliser.
Match Officials...
Referee: Simon Mather
Assistant Referees: Lewis Raper And Steven Plane
Fourth Official: Karl Buckley
