Bristol Rovers v Forest Green Rovers: How to watch, team news, head-to-head record and more

Bristol Rovers play their penultimate home match of the season as they welcome League Two leaders Forest Green Rovers to the Memorial Stadium.

The Gas are high on confidence after claiming two wins over the Easter weekend which brought them to within two points of an automatic spot.

Forest Green too are in good spirits with the Gloucestershire side knowing that just a point will secure promotion to League One.

A win for Rovers coupled with a defeat for Port Vale and any dropped points for Northampton could see them move into third. They can be overtaken by Sutton United though if they lose and they win against Barrow.

When does the match start?

The game will kick-off at 15.00 GMT at the Memorial Stadium in Bristol.

What’s the latest team news for Bristol Rovers?

Leon Clarke is unlikely to feature for Rovers having withdrawn late from the squad against Salford last Friday. It isn’t expected to be a long-term injury but he’s expected to be back in a few weeks.

Ryan Loft came off the bench and scored his first goal since joining the club in January. His strike could earn him a start which could push Aaron Collins out to the flanks and Sam Nicholson to the bench.

What’s the latest team news for Forest Green Rovers?

Forest Green’s attack is prolific with both Matt Stevens and Jamille Matt both in double figures this season. Stevens has found the net 23 times in 37 matches whilst Matt has played in all of their fixtures and has scored 18 goals.

They also have attack minded defenders and midfielders with Kane Wilson boasting 13 assists in his role as right-back whilst winger Nicky Cadden has 12.

Form guide and head-to-head

Forest Green have won just one of their last five away matches in League Two which bodes well for Rovers. In fact they’ve picked up six points from an available 15 in their last five away matches.

In their last six league outings they have won 13 out of a possible 18 points and have only dropped points to Hartlepool and a shock 4-0 defeat to Barrow.

There has been just one meeting between the two sides in the Football League and that was a 2-0 win for FGR back in November when Jammille Matt scored twice.

They also played in the National League when Rovers spent a year there with a 1-1 draw in August 2018 before Forest Green won 1-0 at the Memorial Stadium in October 2014. Both sides would meet in the play-offs where Rovers won 2-0 and 1-0 to get to the final and then beat Grimsby on penalties.

Referee

Gavin Ward is to manage the game as the referee and he will be working alongside Graham Kane and Adrian Waters as his linesmen. Sam Allison is the fourth official.

Surrey-based Ward has taken charge of 34 games this season and has shown 136 yellow cards and four red cards, mainly overseeing Championship and League One games, which has meant he hasn’t overseen any Rovers games this season.

How to watch the match

As the game is being played during the television blackout hours in England, this is unable to be streamed or broadcasted to domestic audiences.

Highlights will also be made available on each club’s YouTube channel though.