Bristol Rovers predicted team vs Peterborough: Changes likely with Matt Butcher debut considered

Without trying to get too hyperbolic in early February, but there's certainly enough substance behind the statement that Bristol Rovers' game at home to Peterborough United this afternoon is their biggest of the season so far.

Just one place and two points separate the two sides towards the bottom end of the League One table and, although neither will end the day in the relegation zone, one could end up a whole lot closer.

Back-to-back away defeats was certainly a step backwards for the Gas after registering two wins in a row. However, the return to home turf should put Rovers in good stead.

Posh have historically been a bit of a bogey side for the Gas but, then again, it's been a long time since Peterborough were struggling down the bottom end of League One.

With the extra day following on from Tuesday's loss at Charlton, fatigue shouldn't come into the thinking of Inigo Calderon when picking his side. Here's how we think the head coach could set his team up today...

Goalkeeper and defence

Josh Griffiths had a good game on Tuesday night. Without him the scoreline could have certainly been more damaging; how many times have we said that this season? The goalkeeper, as always, is a no-brainer.

In defence, the centre-back pairing of James Wilson and Connor Taylor could soon be under threat with Bristol Rovers expected to add to their defensive ranks before the transfer window closes with the loan addition of Sil Swinkels from Aston Villa.

You also have the possibility of Taylor Moore slotting back into his natural position of centre-back with someone else coming in at right-back. If you were to suggest one was more at risk of losing his place than the other, it would be Taylor. For now though, the expectation is that nothing will change this afternoon.

In the full-back positions, Clinton Mola was slightly unlucky that a return to the side ended up lasting just 45 minutes but the left-back was booked early and it certainly affected his performance. Lino Sousa has struggled defensively of late so Inigo Calderon may well be tempted to give Mola a second opportunity after Tuesday didn't go to plan.

Then at right-back is one of the big positional debates at this moment in time. Jack Hunt is still fit but is yet to make a matchday squad since Calderon's arrival and returning from injury. It very much feels as though if the right-back doesn't get the nod this weekend, he will likely depart the football club before tomorrow's deadline.

It's no secret that the 34-year-old's time at Rovers has been largely plagued by injuries but, when fit, has proven to be the club's best option at right-back. It's just a case of how long he can stay fit for.

The gut feeling is that Calderon will stick with Moore at right-back who, although still under-par, was the Gas' best defender on Tuesday night.

Midfield

You would imagine that Matt Butcher hasn't been brought in on loan from Wycombe Wanderers just to sit on the bench but, considering his limited minutes of late for the Chairboys and the fact that he arrived on Thursday, throwing him straight in might be slightly premature.

Grant Ward has been one of Rovers' better players since Inigo Calderon's arrival and is likely to keep hold of his place this afternoon but then it's a debate between Romaine Sawyers, Jamie Lindsay and Butcher with Kamil Conteh still injured.

Lindsay got the chance to impress on Tuesday with a rare start but didn't stand out as much as the Scotsman would've liked, suggesting that Sawyers will come back into that deep-lying role.

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In attacking midfield, Ruel Sotiriou has started the last two but hasn't been able to back up his goal from the bench against Barnsley. Realistically, it's likely that the 24-year-old doesn't get the chance to start a third.

Isaac Hutchinson is still struggling for consistency but came off the bench and did fine on Tuesday night and is certainly in line to start in that central attacking midfield position.

Flanking him, Shaq Forde had a better night against Charlton compared to some of his recent performances and warrants another start. Meanwhile, it's a debate between Luke Thomas and Scott Sinclair on the left with the latter likely just about edging it.

Striker

Inigo Calderon confessed in his pre-match press conference that he may consider starting Gatlin O'Donkor and Chris Martin alongside each other. However, that would likely culminate in the former playing on the left wing which isn't seen as his best position.

Martin got the nod to lead the line on Tuesday and he ended up on the pitch for the entire match, something that might come into consideration when picking the side.

The striker looked visibly frustrated as service remained limited. In the end, he didn't get a sniff.

It would be interesting to see the pair start a game together but the feeling is that this time, O'Donkor will get the opportunity to lead the line again with the 20-year-old showing bursts of quality in recent games. It's just about doing it a bit more consistently.

Bristol Rovers XI (4-2-3-1): Josh Griffiths; Taylor Moore, James Wilson, Connor Taylor, Clinton Mola; Romaine Sawyers, Grant Ward; Shaq Forde, Isaac Hutchinson, Scott Sinclair; Gatlin O'Donkor