Bristol Rovers vs Doncaster Rovers Predictions

• Bristol Rovers are without a win since Ben Garner took over nearly a month ago.
• Only one team in League 1 has conceded fewer goals than Doncaster on the road this season.
• Doncaster have conceded more than once in just two of their eight travelling matches this term.
• Doncaster are League 1’s best team in terms of shots on target conceded on the road.

Rovers struggling

Bristol Rovers’ winless run continued at the weekend, as they were unable to beat Coventry at home in the FA Cup, drawing 2-2. Ben Garner has now overseen five matches as manager, none of which have ended in victory. On a more positive note, three of the five matches that Gas have played since the new man took charge have ended in draws.

It’s very early days and it’s quite possible that, in time, Rovers will thrive under the stewardship of Garner, though performance wise, the early signs aren’t great. In four league matches against Peterborough, Wimbledon, Fleetwood and MK Dons, Bristol Rovers have struggled to create going forward, scoring just one goal, while they’ve found it tough to keep teams at bay too, conceding five. Clean sheets against both Fleetwood and Peterborough may look good on the surface, but Rovers conceded chances in both of those matches, surrendering no less than 33 shots, 14 of which tested Anssi Jaakkola in between the sticks.

Donny moving forward

While Bristol Rovers have been treading water, Donny have improved of late. Sunday’s visitors weren’t able to follow their pleasing away win against Peterborough with another victory, as they were touched on by Sunderland, but they’ve since shown their mettle, winning two on the bounce, beating both Oxford and Shrewsbury, keeping two clean sheets in the process.

Doncaster’s recent wins against top sides such as Peterborough and Oxford show that they’re not a side that belongs mid-table, and if they continue to perform as they have done of late, they’ll soon be knocking on the play-off door, which they’re now just two points shy of.

More importantly, after both beating Oxford and Shrewsbury in quick succession, keeping a clean sheet against both, Donny will fancy themselves to see off a Bristol Rovers side that has been struggling of late, despite being away from the comforts of Keepmoat.

Visitors to edge it

Given when we’ve seen from this pair of late, ‘Doncaster to Win & Under 3.5 Goals’ stands out as a viable option. Donny have tightened up at the back, shutting out three good sides in their last four matches, and have done so whilst maintaining a threat at the other end. They’ve also conceded the second lowest number of away goals this term, shipping just nine goals. Moreover, Saturday’s visitors rank as League 1’s best team in terms of shots on target conceded away from home.

The hosts aren’t known for getting hammered at this venue, but their recent lack of attacking power does not bode well ahead of a match against an improving side that has been giving very little away. Having scored an average of 1.63 goals on the road this term, the visitors aren’t backed to run riot, but they’re backed to edge their way to victory, much like AFC Wimbledon recently did at this venue.