Bristol Rovers welcome Oxford United to the Memorial Stadium this Saturday in a big weekend of League One football. Oxford United look to retain a place in the Play-offs, whereas Bristol Rovers, aim for the top half of the table.
Bristol Rovers currently sit 12th in League One after 26 games. The Gas have nine wins, seven draws and ten losses, leaving them on 34 points, three points from tenth place Northampton Town.
In their last five games in all competitions, Bristol Rovers have one draw and four losses.
In the Third Round of the FA Cup, Bristol Rovers took on Championship Norwich. Ashley Barnes opened the scoring for Norwich in the 12th minute but Grant Ward equalised for Rovers within five minutes. However, in the second half, neither team could find another goal and had to settle for a 1 - 1 draw and a replay. Back in League One, Rovers face Barnsley. A goal from Devante Cole gave Barnsley the 1 - 0 lead at halftime, but Chris Martin got Rovers level just before the 70 minute mark. Within five minutes, Corey O’Keeffe grabbed a goal for Barnsley for the 2 - 1 win.
The Replay of the FA Cup Third Round against Norwich saw Rovers take the lead through Luke McCormick. However, goals from Gabriel Sara and Kenny McLean and a penalty from Adam Idah gave Norwich the 3 - 1 win in the second half. CJ Hamilton opened the scoring for Blackpool in the fifth minute and Karamoko Dembele doubled the lead before the 20 minute mark. Martin did get on the scoresheet for Rovers, but Blackpool held on for a 2 - 1 win.
The last time out for Bristol Rovers was against Exeter City. Sonny Cox scored the only goal of the game in the 12th minute to give Exeter the 1 - 0 win.
Oxford United, on the other hand, currently sit sixth in League One. In 27 games, Oxford have 15 wins, four draws and eight losses which leaves them on 49 points, three points above seventh Stevenage and three points from fifth Barnsley.
In their last five games in all competitions, Oxford have two wins and three draws.
Chem Campbell opened the scoring for Charlton in the fifth minute, but Mark Helm equalised for Oxford United before halftime. In the 85th minute, Oisin Smyth grabbed a goal to give Oxford United the 2 - 1 win. In the Third Round of the FA Cup, Oxford took on Championship Coventry. Mark Harris and Tyler Goodrham were both on the scoresheet for Oxford, but a brace from Matt Godden and goals from Joel Latibeaudiere, Ben Sheaf and Kasey Palmer along with an own goal from Callum O’Hare gave Coventry the 6 - 2 win.
In the Third Round of the Football League Trophy, Oxford took on Wimbledon. A brace from James Tilley gave Wimbledon the 2 - 0 win over a ten-man Oxford, who had Simon Eastwood sent off late on. Oxford bounced back against Carlisle. A brace from Harris and a goal from Goodrham gave Oxford the 3 - 1 win, with Alfie McCalmont on the scoresheet for Carlisle.
The most recent outing for Oxford was against Barnsley. A Sam Long own goal was the only goal of the game in the 1 - 0 win for Barnsley.
Bristol Rovers and Oxford United have met 65 times in their histories, with the first meeting coming back in 1965. Rovers have a slightly better record in the fixture with 27 wins in comparison to Oxford’s 22 wins, with the other 16 games ending in a draw.