MX23RW : Wednesday, April 13 04:12:33| >> :120:4091:4091:
[monks data]
Jan 25, 2022 at 7.45pm UK at Glanford Park
Scunthorpe
2 - 3
Bristol Rovers
Burns (89', 90+3')
Wood (1')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Grant (36'), Evans (62' pen.), Clarke (78')
Grant (32')

Preview: Scunthorpe United vs. Bristol Rovers - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Tuesday's League Two clash between Scunthorpe United and Bristol Rovers, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Scunthorpe United, who are currently in the relegation zone, will play host to Bristol Rovers on Tuesday and the home side enter the contest in low spirits after losing their last four games.

The visitors will be aiming to extend their unbeaten league run after collecting seven points from their last three League Two games.


Match preview

Keith Hill in charge of Rochdale in December 2018© Reuters

The Irons currently occupy 23rd place and after losing their last four matches, they find themselves six points adrift of safety.

Scunthorpe fell to their latest defeat on Saturday at home to Newport County, with a Courtney Baker-Richardson strike proving enough to guide the Exiles to a 1-0 victory.

As well as suffering another defeat, it was also the fourth game in a row that the Irons have failed to find the net, while in that period they have conceded on eight occasions.

With goals hard to come by, Scunthorpe are now the joint-worst scorers in the league with Carlisle United after scoring just 19 times in the league this season.

Unfortunately for Keith Hill's side, matters are not any better at the other end of the pitch, as they currently possess the worst defence in League Two having conceded 45 league goals, leaving the Irons requiring an improvement in attack and defence if they are to survive this season.

Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton pictured in May 2021© Reuters

As for the visitors, they will be aiming to avoid defeat for a fourth consecutive league game, and their recent run of positive form has seen the Gas climb up to 15th place in League Two.

Despite holding the advantage of at least two games in hand over most sides, an 11-point gap to the top seven means that a playoff push may be too much of an ask for Joey Barton's men.

At the very least, Bristol Rovers will now be eyeing a top-half finish after losing just twice from their last nine league matches.

In their latest league outing, they returned from their trip to Swindon Town with a point, courtesy of Sam Finley's equaliser after Tyreece Simpson had given the hosts the lead.

Ahead of the midweek away trip, Barton will be looking for another solid away performance, with the Gas losing just once in their last seven away league matches.

Scunthorpe United League Two form:
  • D
  • W
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • L

Bristol Rovers League Two form:
  • D
  • L
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • D

Bristol Rovers form (all competitions):
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • D



Team News

Bristol Rovers' Alfie Kilgour celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on January 9, 2021© Reuters

Scunthorpe are without the services of Hayden Hackney, who is currently suspended.

After arriving on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, Luke Matheson has started the Irons last two matches and is expected to feature at right wing-back on Tuesday.

Myles Hippolyte is set to return to the starting lineup and the 22-year-old will be partnered up front by Sam Burns.

Meanwhile, the visitors are still missing the injured duo of Alex Rodman and Harvey Saunders, while Alfie Kilgour is a doubt for Tuesday's contest after missing the Swindon trip with a knee problem.

After five months out due to injury, Leon Clarke made his long-awaited return with a late substitute appearance on Saturday, and the veteran striker will be on the bench once again for the Scunthorpe encounter.

Barton switched to a back four on Saturday, but could revert to a back three for the midweek fixture, where the Gas are expected to dominate possession.

Scunthorpe United possible starting lineup:
Watson; Onariase, Taft, Davis; Matheson, Perry, Rowe, Pugh, O'Malley; Burns, Hippolyte

Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:
Belshaw; Taylor, Connolly, Harries; Anderson, Coutts, Finley, Evans, Grant; Collins, Loft


SM words green background

We say: Scunthorpe United 1-3 Bristol Rovers

After picking up seven points from their last three league games, Bristol Rovers head to Glanford Park with an air of confidence, and we think that they could ease to victory against a struggling Scunthorpe side.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data


ID:476094:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect10115:

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


How you voted: Scunthorpe vs Bristol Rovers

Scunthorpe United
13.8%
Draw
13.8%
Bristol Rovers
72.4%
29
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Fleetwood Town manager Joey Barton pictured in January 2020
Read Next:
Joey Barton hits out at referee as Bristol Rovers beat Accrington
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Forest Green RoversForest Green402213569333679
2Exeter CityExeter402014658362274
3Port Vale412012963392472
4Mansfield TownMansfield402091157441369
5Northampton TownNorthampton4119101247341367
6Bristol Rovers4119101256451167
7Newport CountyNewport4118121163501366
8Salford City4118111252361665
9Tranmere RoversTranmere4118111247371065
10Sutton UnitedSutton4018101259461364
11Swindon TownSwindon4017111262491362
12Crawley TownCrawley40159165055-554
13Hartlepool UnitedHartlepool411411164255-1353
14Leyton Orient4111161453411249
15Bradford CityBradford411115154449-548
16Rochdale411017144451-747
17Harrogate TownHarrogate411211185765-847
18Walsall411211184254-1247
19Carlisle UnitedCarlisle411211183655-1947
20Colchester UnitedColchester411112183955-1645
21Barrow40813193448-1437
22Oldham AthleticOldham41910224264-2237
23Stevenage40813193661-2537
24Scunthorpe UnitedScunthorpe41412252676-5024

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Match previews - Daily
Transfer Talk Daily
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!