Bristol Rovers predicted team vs Blackpool as Gas seek consistency despite short turnaround

And just like that, Bristol Rovers are back in action three days after their 1-0 win up at Mansfield Town with Blackpool their lastest opponents at the Mem.

Over a month on from the originally set date, the rearranged fixture is looking a lot more appealling from a Gas perspective with Rovers on a high off the back of Saturday's victory while also being four games unbeaten.

It's still nowhere near perfect but Matt Taylor's team do look to be turning a screw and that win on the weekend was overdue considering that performances in parts lately have warranted a more substantial points return.

Meanwhile, one of the most underperforming teams in League One this season has to be Blackpool with the Tangerines 19th after 16 matches.

It's been a turbulent season but Steve Bruce's side haven't won a league game since September 28, although they were unlucky to lose at Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.

With just two home defeats in the division so far this term, Rovers should be confident that they can back up their win over Mansfield with another three points and prove that their trajectory is certainly headed upwards.

Taylor admitted that he may well have to make some changes for freshness reasons. With that considered, here's how we think the Gas could line up this evening...

Goalkeeper and defence

There's no suggestion that Rovers will be forced into any changes in defence and certainly not in goal with Josh Griffiths picking up his sixth clean sheet in League One this season after one of his more quiet afternoons, although a few saves were still required.

Meanwhile, Taylor Moore and Clinton Mola had good games against Mansfield while the two men between them were excellent, particularly Connor Taylor. The duo are playing superbly well together and will no doubt take confidence from back-to-back clean sheets.

If there was to be a change in the back-four, you could argue that Moore could potentially drop out for Joel Senior given that the latter is a natural option at right-back but there's no evidence that the 27-year-old should be coming out of the side.

Additionally, although some may speculate that, as one of the oldest players in the team and with last season's injury record, Wilson will need to be given a rest but the 35-year-old has been fine to play Saturday, Tuesday so far this term.

Midfield

Again, you never know who might be struggling but there's limited suggestion that anyone in the middle zone of the team will need a rest on the back of Saturday.

Kamil Conteh would have started every league game so far bar one had he not been selected for international duty with Sierra Leone in September and has proven that he has an engine that can run for beyond 90 minutes if needed. Meanwhile, alongside the 21-year-old, Jamie Lindsay has well and truly introduced himself to Gasheads now and has been one of the most consistent performers this campaign. The partnership he and Conteh are building is certainly getting better by the week.

There will be strong shouts to throw Grant Ward in just for freshness purposes but, again, there wasn't much suggestion that either player will be in need of a rest.

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Further up the pitch, the same can be said of the attacking midfield trio. Shaq Forde didn't have his best game for Rovers on Saturday, it has to be said, but the wide man did get two Mansfield players booked for cynical challenges with the Gas forward too much of a danger driving towards goal.

Elsewhere, Isaac Hutchinson had an excellent second half, getting the assist for Luke McCormick's goal, while the scorer himself buzzed around all game and is now in the midst of a run of games he's been crying out for.

The likes of Scott Sinclair, Luke Thomas and Ruel Sotiriou are all capable options to come in if needed but Taylor will do his best to keep his in-form players in the side where he can.

Striker

If one player was to drop out of the starting line up that faced Mansfield, Chris Martin would probably be most fans' best bet with the striker potentially playing longer than expected on Saturday before looking as though he could feel a twinge or cramp of sorts when coming off.

Rovers have limited options up front as it is with Promise Omochere set to be out for another few weeks at least with a broken hand on top of his ankle issues and risking Martin isn't worth it.

Thankfully, Gatlin O'Donkor made his return from a hamstring injury on Saturday and could be handed just his second league start for the Gas. Taylor certainly seems to be a fan of the Oxford United loanee.

Sotiriou is, of course, another option to lead the line while McCormick has also played up front before but this is a good opportunity for O'Donkor should Martin be given a rest.

Bristol Rovers XI (4-2-3-1): Josh Griffiths; Taylor Moore, Connor Taylor, James Wilson, Clinton Mola; Kamil Conteh, Jamie Lindsay; Shaq Forde, Luke McCormick, Isaac Hutchinson; Gatlin O'Donkor