Sports Mole previews Saturday’s League One clash between Bristol Rovers and Wrexham, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Relegation-threatened Bristol Rovers will begin life without manager Matt Taylor on Saturday when they host high-flying Wrexham in a League One clash at Memorial Stadium.

Rovers sacked Taylor earlier this week after a 2-0 defeat at Birmingham City left them only two points above the relegation zone, but things do not get any easier for interim boss David Horseman this weekend as promotion-chasing Wrexham come to town.

Match preview

© Imago

Having recently been handed the reins during a leave of absence for Taylor, first-team coach Horseman finds himself back in temporary charge sooner than he might have expected, alongside the recently-appointed coach Lee Cattermole, whose arrival is rumoured to have played some role in Taylor’s departure.

The duo’s time in charge could be brief, with Rovers rumoured to be close to appointing a replacement for Taylor, but whoever comes in will be primarily concerned with keeping the club in League One this season.

That will be no small task considering the Gas sit 20th in the table – just two points ahead of Crawley Town in the relegation zone – after picking up 21 points from their 19 games so far.

Taylor returned from his leave of absence for last Saturday’s 2-0 defeat on the road to Birmingham, watching on as his side were comfortably second best, conceding two first-half goals, and managing just one shot on target in what proved to be Taylor’s final match in the dugout.

However, Horseman’s last taste of the top job saw Rovers fare even worse, failing to even register a shot on target as they limped to a 3-0 defeat to Leyton Orient on December 3 – a result so poor that Horseman immediately released a public apology to fans after the game.

In fact, Rovers have only scored in one of their last five league games, a stretch that featured one win, one draw and three consecutive losses leading up to this weekend.

This dire form has put Rovers’ status in the division at risk, and if the incoming manager is to save the club from relegation, then they must find a way to improve the Gas’ offensive output given that only two League One clubs have netted fewer goals this season.

© Imago

In stark contrast, Phil Parkinson‘s Wrexham are currently third in the table, having earned 41 points from their 20 games this term.

Heading into their most recent fixture against Garry Monk‘s Cambridge United, the Red Dragons were on an impressive winning streak and had not conceded since mid-November when they lost 1-0 to Stockport County.

Notably, Wrexham have the best defensive record in League One having conceded 13 goals this term, three fewer than the next-best side.

With this in mind, Parkinson will be particularly disappointed that his side conceded twice in a 2-2 draw with Monk’s 23rd-placed team, a result that means they now sit two points behind league leaders Wycombe Wanderers.

This weekend, Wrexham will be up against another relegation candidate, and the Red Dragons will be desperate to take all three points to stay within touching distance of the top of the table.

Bristol Rovers League One form:

Bristol Rovers form (all competitions):

Wrexham League One form:

Wrexham form (all competitions):

Team News

Interim boss Horseman made a number of changes to the lineup during his short time in charge recently, and now that he is back in the hotseat this weekend, captain Scott Sinclair may return after featuring on the bench against Birmingham last time out.

Ahead of what is likely to be the first-team coach’s last game as manager, Horseman spoke about how he has been training his side to create more chances, so expect Gatlin O’Donkor, Shaqai Forde and striker Chris Martin to feature against Wrexham as part of an attacking XI.

As for the Red Dragons, manager Parkinson has mentioned that George Evans is back in contention for the games over the festive period after training and playing in a reserve match against Salford City.

The versatile midfielder could play alongside Oliver Rathbone and Matty James, who recently signed a new contract extension, in the middle of the park.

Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:

Griffiths; Forbes, Wilson, Taylor, Senior; Conteh, Lindsay; Forde, O’Donkor, Sinclair; Martin

Wrexham possible starting lineup:Howard; Cleworth, O’Connell, Brunt; Barnett, Evans, James, Rathbone, McClean; Lee, Palmer

We say: Bristol Rovers 0-2 Wrexham

With the Gas struggling to create many opportunities of late, it is difficult to see them scoring against League One’s strongest defence.

On the other hand, Wrexham are in the hunt for promotion this season and are at risk of falling behind in the title race unless they pick up all three points, so expect Parkinson’s side to make up for their draw last time out with a win on Saturday.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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