Bristol Rovers predicted team vs Leyton Orient: One change guaranteed with big decision to make

Bristol Rovers are back in League One action this evening after a tough battle in the FA Cup up at Barnsley was eventually rewarded as they progressed to the third round on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes.

The Gas were rewarded with a trip to now-Premier League side Ipswich Town but that will come in January. For now, they must focus on over a month of important league fixtures.

Last week's home defeat to Blackpool was a major disappointment as Rovers failed to record a shot on target, just three days after a hard-fought 1-0 win away at Mansfield Town. The hope will be that the Gas' recent upturn in form away from the Mem can continue tonight.

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Orient have had a bizarre season so far after being dealt a seriously tough opening schedule. They currently find themselves in 21st place having won just two of their last 10 league games. Those victories were, however, both came at home.

It seems as though Matt Taylor is still away dealing with a family emergency so Dave Horseman and Wayne Carlisle will continue to take care of the team. What will be interesting to see is how many changes they believe are necessary three days after Rovers played 120 minutes away in South Yorkshire having travelled again to East London yesterday.

They hope to have Connor Taylor back available at the very least and there will certainly be some decisions to be made in certain areas of the pitch. Here's how we think the Gas might set up at Brisbane Road this evening.

Goalkeeper and defence

On the back of his FA Cup heroics on Saturday, Josh Griffiths will be hoping to replicate similar form. Three clean sheets in his last four matches bodes well.

Ahead of the shot stopper, the return of Connor Taylor is a very welcome one, although his replacement Michael Forbes was outstanding at Oakwell and will be unlucky to drop out of the team. However, prior to Saturday Taylor was one of, if not the most in-form player at Rovers right now.

The same can be said of James Wilson who, after not starting at Barnsley, should be fine to come back into the 11 tonight with Taylor and Wilson the preferred centre-back pairing at this moment in time.

At left-back, Clinton Mola should have no trouble keeping his place after a particularly solid afternoon on Saturday. However, at right-back there's a big call to be made.

Taylor Moore has played there a fair bit in recent league games but returned to his natural position of centre-back on Saturday with Joel Senior getting his first run out for three months at right-back after overcoming a serious hamstring issue. Senior was excellent and, although Moore had a superb game defensively, he hasn't looked as mobile or effective in the final third and perhaps it would be a better shout to have a natural option there. To keep things fresh more than anything, we could see Moore drop out for Senior.

Midfield

There will certainly be at least one change to the team that started at Barnsley with Kamil Conteh suspended having picked up a fifth yellow card in League One against Blackpool last week. You would expect Grant Ward to come in his place as a straight swap.

Jamie Lindsay looked a bit leggy at times on Saturday but is experienced enough for these quick turn arounds and should be fine to start once again.

In attacking midfield, there's certainly a case or two for some alterations for freshness more than anything. Luke McCormick has been excellent lately and deserved to wear the captain's armband. He should keep his place.

However, the fact that Luke Thomas didn't even get off the bench at Oakwell over 120 minutes is baffling while Scott Sinclair came on late to take a penalty. Either player would have a case for getting a start tonight while Ruel Sotiriou certainly finds himself out of form ahead of facing his former side.

Shaq Forde has the potential to get bums off of seats while Isaac Hutchinson's second half against Mansfield was one of his best in a Rovers shirt. Neither are out of form by any stretch but game time could be managed.

Striker

Gatlin O'Donkor did well at times in his first start since returning from injury over the weekend, unlucky to hit the post. There's certainly a case for the 20-year-old to keep his place in the 11 but when one of the best finishers in the league is available, it's tough not to start him.

Chris Martin is still yet to get a chance you would expect him to gobble up since returning from injury over a month ago but, as we saw at Brisbane Road in March, the striker only needs one good delivery into the area to end his drought.

Bristol Rovers XI (4-2-3-1): Josh Griffiths; Joel Senior, Connor Taylor, James Wilson, Clinton Mola; Jamie Lindsay, Grant Ward; Shaq Forde, Luke McCormick, Isaac Hutchinson; Chris Martin

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