![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1764408498_10_1_Cheltenham-Town-v-Bristol-Rovers-Sky-Bet-League-Two-Football-The-EV-Charger-Points-Stadium-Chelt.j.webp\")
(Image: Will Cooper\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\nBristol Live’s predicted Bristol Rovers team to face Notts County as Darrell Clarke’s side look to avoid an eighth consecutive League Two defeat(Image: Will Cooper\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\n
It\u2019s that time of the week again. Bristol Rovers<\/a> are looking to end a seven-match losing streak in League Two and find a formula that can help them climb the table.<\/p>\n Darrell Clarke<\/a> switched to a 3-5-2 against Cheltenham Town, with a three-man midfield and a front two of Fabrizio Cavegn and Ellis Harrison. While Rovers dominated large periods against Steve Cotterill\u2019s side, who had two key midfielders out, the Gas were undone by a 70th-minute strike by Jonathan Tomkinson. This was the Robins\u2019 only shot on target, while Rovers had 17 shots in total, with Harrison and Joel Cotterill striking the post.<\/p>\n Clarke\u2019s side are now only two points above the relegation zone, and with a tricky set of league fixtures against Notts County, Barnet, Swindon Town, and Crewe Alexandra to come, they will have their work cut out to avoid slipping into the drop zone before Christmas.<\/p>\n With that said, here is how we think Rovers will set up against the Magpies\u2026<\/p>\n READ MORE: Darrell Clarke in \u2018regular contact owners\u2019 and ‘excited for Bristol Rovers future’<\/a>READ MORE: The last time Bristol Rovers faced Notts County at The Mem – Where are the starting XI now?<\/a>Goalkeeper and defence<\/strong><\/p>\n In truth, Luke Southwood didn\u2019t have an awful lot to do in his return to the starting lineup against Cheltenham after going on international duty with Northern Ireland. Despite some unconvincing distribution at times, he was solid and he will start again in goal for the Gas.<\/p>\n At right wing-back, Macauley Southam-Hales<\/a> will lineup for Rovers. He put in one of his most impressive performances in recent weeks against the Robins, looking dangerous with his crosses, especially in the first-half. His delivery just before the break was inches over Cavegn, who was unmarked in the box and could have easily resulted in the opener.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Clarke seems set on playing a back three, and with Kacper Lopata and Alfie Kilgour still out injured, we think he\u2019ll start Stephan Negru, Tom Lockyer, and Clinton Mola.<\/p>\n These three dealt with Cheltenham\u2019s threat pretty comfortably all afternoon, with Lockyer noting post-match, \u201cI look at Stef and Clint next to me after the game, and I said, \u2018How did you feel?\u2019 and none of us felt threatened all through the game again, but somehow we\u2019ve come away with nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n Given Clarke\u2019s persistence on a back three, we think he\u2019ll stick with this trio to deal with the threat of Alassana Jatta, who is a handful.<\/p>\n Interestingly, Clarke said the following in his Friday press conference<\/a>, \u201cWe’ve got one or two coming back Saturday, which will be a nice boost as well.\u201d Who these players are remains unknown, but Rovers fans will be hoping that at least one of them is Alfie Kilgour or Kacper Lopata, who featured prominently at centre-back earlier in the season.<\/p>\n Bristol Rovers are preparing for a new season in League Two with Darrell Clarke back at the helm and you won’t miss a beat with our free newsletter.<\/p>\n All the latest news, views, interviews, gossip and analysis concerning the Gas, delivered straight to your inbox.<\/p>\n It’s completely free and you can sign up HERE<\/a><\/p>\n Midfield<\/strong><\/p>\n For the first time this season, Clarke started with a midfield three of Kamil Conteh<\/a>, Alfie Chang and Cotterill against Cheltenham.<\/p>\n This midfield trio was largely effective, helping Rovers pin the Robins in and control any counter attacks. Cotterill, especially, provided a creative spark and was agonisingly close to scoring his first league goal for the club when a one-two with Harrison deflected onto the post.<\/p>\n Despite having a solid game as the deepest midfielder, Conteh lost Tomkinson at the back post from the corner, which resulted in the only goal of the game. Still, the 22-year-old has looked far more comfortable in recent weeks and should be in line to start again for this one.<\/p>\n The only question mark is Chang, who came with what seemed to be an injury in the 76th minute against Cheltenham. When asked about whether this was a precaution in Friday\u2019s press conference, he said: \u201cYeah, just precaution. I\u2019m all good.\u201d As a result, we expect Clarke to stick with this midfield trio against Notts County.<\/p>\n There are certainly plenty of attacking options, especially in wide areas, such as Luke Thomas, Freddie Issaka and Shaq Forde<\/a>, who Clarke said will be back in the squad after last week\u2019s omission.<\/p>\n Despite this, the 47-year-old seems keen on sticking with a back five, and given the control Rovers had for long spells against the Robins, he will likely stick with the same shape.<\/p>\n Join Bristol Rovers Live’s Whatsapp community for all the biggest Bristol Rovers stories sent straight to your phone<\/strong><\/p>\n Bristol Rovers Live<\/a> is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our community.<\/p>\n Through the app, we\u2019ll send the Bristol Rovers news, live match coverage, team news, transfers, fixtures, analysis and more straight to your phone.<\/p>\n To join our community you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select \u2018Join Community\u2019.<\/a><\/p>\n No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Bristol Live<\/a> team.<\/p>\n We also treat community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. 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(Image: Will Cooper\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/20250513_DCSigns_WC063-copy.jpg\")
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Alfie Chang of Bristol Rovers attacks during the Sky Bet League 2 Match between Bristol Rovers and Gillingham at Memorial Stadium Photo: Kara Thomas\/PPAUK(Image: Kara Thomas\/PPAUK)Attack and striker<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1744476931_129_0_WhatsApp-Phone.jpg\")
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