![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767515173_86_1_Shrewsbury-Town-v-Bristol-Rovers-Sky-Bet-League-Two-Football-The-Croud-Meadow-Shrewsbury-UK-0.jpg\")
(Image: Michael Zemanek\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\nHere is how we think Bristol Rovers will lineup against Barrow in the second game of 2026 for the Gas(Image: Michael Zemanek\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\n
Bristol Rovers<\/a> started 2026 with a 3-0 win against Shrewsbury Town at The Croud Meadow. Fabrizio Cavegn’s hat-trick lifted the Gas ahead of the Shrews, which extended the gap to the League Two<\/a> relegation zone to four points, following defeats for Newport County and Harrogate Town.<\/p>\n Next up for the Gas is a trip to Barrow at the SO Legal Stadium on January 4. The Bluebirds appointed Paul Gallagher as their new head coach on January 2. Gallagher has been a part of the interim coaching staff under Neil McDonald since Andy Whing’s departure in early December.<\/p>\n Barrow have struggled for form in the league, with only two wins since the start of October. They have also lost their last four home games in League Two. Their most recent defeat was a 2-1 loss against Salford City on New Year’s Day.<\/p>\n Bristol Rovers have Steve Evans now in charge as they look to battle push up the League Two table – 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 Rovers are three points behind Barrow, meaning they would go level on points with the hosts with a win. Given that Rovers\u2019 goal difference is -23 and Barrow\u2019s is -9, moving ahead of the Bluebirds is extremely unlikely, though.<\/p>\n You can follow the action, as it happens, here\u2026<\/p>\n Goalkeeper and defence<\/strong><\/p>\n Luke Southwood<\/a> made an important stop to deny John Marquis two minutes after half-time on New Year\u2019s Day and kept his first clean sheet in the league since the 1-0 win at Grimsby Town in August 2025. He will start in goal for the Gas.<\/p>\n At right-back, Joel Senior was outstanding against Shrewsbury, providing an attacking threat with his pinpoint deliveries, as well as being solid defensively when tested. His presence also gave the Rovers attack far more balance, especially on the flanks, with Jack Sparkes a reliable figure on the other side. He looks set to keep his place for Steve Evans\u2019 side.<\/p>\n Kacper Lopata was forced off with an injury at half-time against Michael Appleton\u2019s side, with Evans providing the following update after the game, \u201cNo, he just felt his hamstring a little bit. He\u2019s not had a lot of action, obviously, he\u2019s been suspended and out. We don\u2019t think it\u2019s too serious. We think there was a little bit of fatigue in there and because he\u2019d been wholeheartedly giving everything for the first 20 minutes back at Shrewsbury. So, we\u2019ll see how he is, and we\u2019ll give him a day or so to recover.\u201d<\/p>\n We don\u2019t think Evans will risk Lopata, and as a result, Taylor Moore<\/a> will come into the starting lineup to replace him. Moore impressed in the second half against the Shrews, alongside the captain, Alfie Kilgour, and it feels likely that these two will be the centre-backs at Barrow.<\/p>\n Finally, Sparkes will start as the left-back against the Bluebirds. With the threat of Senior on the other side now, we expect Sparkes\u2019 influence to grow in the coming weeks, as he\u2019s already shown his importance under the new head coach.<\/p>\n Midfield<\/strong><\/p>\n Tom Lockyer<\/a> slotted into a number six role against Shrewsbury, with Kamil Conteh and Joel Cotterill. The former Premier League captain was a disruptive figure in the middle of the pitch, breaking up attacks and winning aerial duels in front of the back four. He did the dirty work extremely well and allowed the likes of Conteh and Cotterill to join attacks and flourish in front of him.<\/p>\n The balance of this midfield three was excellent, and given there is a nine-day break until the next game after this match, we think that Evans will want to continue with the same trio in the hope of a repeat result.<\/p>\n Ryan De Havilland is a potential option after signing for the club yesterday, but given that he has only played twice in all competitions for Peterborough United so far this season, we don’t think Evans will start the 24-year-old at Barrow.<\/p>\n Attack and striker<\/strong><\/p>\n Finally, it feels unlikely that Evans will move away from the front three that caused Shrewsbury all sorts of problems, especially Shaq Forde and Fabrizio Cavegn, who were electric in the second half. Forde consistently took it past opposition defenders and played threatening through balls to Cavegn, with the Swiss striker scoring his first hat-trick for the club, and in truth, could have had more.<\/p>\n Luke Thomas<\/a> was also a creative spark, as usual, on the left wing, with the only change Evans might consider being the reintroduction of Ellis Harrison to the starting lineup, who was on the bench against the Shrews. Given that the striker has recently returned from injury, though, we think he\u2019ll come off the bench for around 30 minutes, especially if the game is tight in the second half.<\/p>\n Bristol Rovers Predicted XI (4-3-3):<\/strong> Luke Southwood, Joel Senior, Taylor Moore, Alfie Kilgour, Jack Sparkes, Tom Lockyer, Kamil Conteh, Joel Cotterill, Shaq Forde, Luke Thomas, Fabrizio Cavegn.<\/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: Michael Zemanek\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767515178_43_1_Shrewsbury-Town-v-Bristol-Rovers-Sky-Bet-League-Two-Football-The-Croud-Meadow-Shrewsbury-UK-0.jpg\")
(Image: Michael Zemanek\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\n![\"Fabrizio](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767320062_565_1_Shrewsbury-Town-v-Bristol-Rovers-Sky-Bet-League-Two-Football-The-Croud-Meadow-Shrewsbury-UK-0.jpg\")
Fabrizio Cavegn of Bristol Rovers celebrates after the match(Image: Michael Zemanek\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1744476931_129_0_WhatsApp-Phone.jpg\")
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