Bristol Rovers make two changes in predicted XI for crucial Exeter City League One clash

Bristol Rovers will hope to return to winning ways at the Memorial Stadium when they play host to Exeter City in a crucial match at the bottom of the League One table.

The Gas looked to be heading towards safety after back-to-back victories over Bolton and Huddersfield Town in early March but have dropped right back into trouble after five consecutive defeats against the likes of Lincoln City, Crawley, Mansfield Town, Birmingham City and Bolton.

Rovers sit just three points ahead of Burton in the league table, with the Brewers crucially having a game in hand to try and reduce the deficit even further.

Inigo Calderon’s side have the worst record of any team in the division on the road this season but have typically been tough to beat when playing in front of their own fans.

The Pirates know that their home form between now and then the end of the season could be pivotal in their survival push and fans know that anything less than three points would open the door to a potential Burton fight back.

Ahead of kick-off as Bristol Rovers take on an Exeter team with one win in their last six, we take a look at the predicted XI for this weekend’s clash as two changes are made.

Goalkeeper and defence

Academy graduate Jed Ward is expected to keep his place in goal. He has been first choice following Josh Griffiths return to West Brom in January. He’s made 13 appearances this term and has a huge role to play in the weeks to come.

Taylor Moore, who recently won the EFL Community Award, is expected to keep his place at full-back alongside regular centre-back duo James Wilson and Connor Taylor as well as Sil Swinkels in an unchanged backline that will look to nullify Exeter’s attacking threat to the best of their ability and stop the five-match losing streak.

Midfield and attack

49-time Saint Kitts and Nevis international Romaine Sawyers is expected to play at the heart of midfield. He arrived from AFC Wimbledon in January and has found the net once in eight appearances since moving to the Memorial Stadium. He plays alongside 18-year-old wonderkid Kofi Shaw, who has now made 10 appearances for the Gas, with Grant Ward returning to replace veteran Matt Butcher in the middle of the park.

On the flanks, Ruel Sotiriou, who has scored five and registered two assists, is expected to feature with experienced former Celtic and Swansea City wideman Scott Sinclair coming in to replace Shaq Forde in an effort to freshen up the attack and penetrate the Exeter backline.

Leading the line for the fourth game in a row is likely to be Oxford United loanee Gatlin O'Donkor, the 20-year-old last found the net in a 2-1 defeat against runaway leaders Birmingham City and has scored three goals in 21 appearances over the course of the campaign so far. He has big boots to fill in the absence of veteran Chris Martin in attack.

Read More: Bristol Rovers’ brutal League One away record compared to Burton and Wigan amid relegation battle