Bristol Rovers predicted team vs Crewe Alexandra: Steve Evans picks his first starting eleven
Bristol Live’s predicted Bristol Rovers team to face Crewe Alexandra as Steve Evans looks to register a perfect start as the new head coach
Luke Thomas of Bristol Rovers during the EFL League Two match between Accrington Stanley and Bristol Rovers at The Wham Stadium on 15 November 2025 in Accrington, England (Photo by Steve Taylor/PPAUK)
It’s been a busy week for Bristol Rovers, with Steve Evans announced as the new head coach on Tuesday afternoon. He held his first press conference with the media on Wednesday, during which he discussed several topics, including the January transfer window, the reasons behind signing a short-term contract, and even a cancelled Christmas trip to the Maldives.
Evans’ first task is an away game against Crewe Alexandra on Friday night. The Railwaymen sit just outside the play-off positions, with 31 points after 20 games. Lee Bell’s side picked up an impressive 4-1 at Tranmere Rovers in their last outing and will be keen to move into the top seven.
Meanwhile, the Gas will be looking to end a torrid run of ten consecutive league defeats, which has seen them drop into the League Two relegation zone. A victory at the Mornflake Stadium would lift them ahead of Harrogate Town, though, who have a tricky home game against promotion-chasing MK Dons on Saturday.
With that said, here is how we think Rovers will set up against the Railwaymen…
OPINION
READ MORE: Every word Bristol Rovers head coach Steve Evans said in first press conference
Goalkeeper and defence
Despite recent results, Luke Southwood has impressed in recent weeks, saving two penalties in the shootout win against Cambridge United in the Vertu Trophy. He also made a few important saves in the defeat at Barnet, despite the Gas losing 4-0. He will be in goal on Friday night.
We think Evans will start a back four, with Tom Lockyer retaining his place at right-back after starting there in the 3-0 defeat against Swindon Town. Meanwhile, Alfie Kilgour came off in the 76th minute against the Robins with what looked like an injury, but he has been spotted in training videos on Rovers’ YouTube channel ahead of the trip to Crewe. We think he’ll start alongside Clinton Mola, with Jack Sparkes as the left-back to complete the defence.
Sparkes’ delivery could be a real weapon for Evans, who places huge importance on high-quality crosses from out wide. It is likely he will play a key part in the next few weeks.
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Midfield
In terms of the midfield, we think Evans will opt for a flexible four, which will turn into a 4-5-1 out of possession, with one of the two strikers helping out to make them hard to beat. On the right-wing, Shaq Forde is a contender to start, given his quality on the ball and willingness to press off it. On the other side, we think Evans will start Luke Thomas, who didn’t come on against Swindon. An option is to start Freddie Issaka, but the experience and creativity of Thomas give him the nod over the on-loan winger.
Luke Thomas of Bristol Rovers during the EFL League Two match between Accrington Stanley and Bristol Rovers at The Wham Stadium on 15 November 2025 in Accrington, England (Photo by Steve Taylor/PPAUK)
We think the two central midfielders will be Josh McEachran and Joel Cotterill. As already mentioned, this shape will primarily be a 4-5-1 formation out of possession. This would make sense to support McEachran and get bodies around him when Rovers are defending, while allowing him to dictate the ball with wide attacking options when the Gas win it back.
Attack and striker
We think Evans will start with a front two of Callum Morton and Fabrizio Cavegn. Morton came on at half-time against Swindon and, despite limited service, showed a lot of energy and was unlucky not to score in the closing stages. The new head coach has often employed a front two during his previous jobs, including at Stevenage and Rotherham, where he opted for 4-3-1-2 and a 3-4-1-2 formations.
(Image: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)
It makes sense to keep things simple in his first game without too much time to assess the players in training. Additionally, given that we expect Ellis Harrison and Promise Omochere to be sidelined, having two energetic forwards play alongside each other would make more sense, as it would provide Rovers with more options in attack rather than relying on one isolated striker.
Bristol Rovers predicted XI (4-4-2): Luke Southwood, Tom Lockyer, Alfie Kilgour, Clinton Mola, Jack Sparkes, Shaq Forde, Joel Cotterill, Josh McEachran, Luke Thomas, Callum Morton, Fabrizio Cavegn.
READ MORE: Steve Evans starts works at Bristol Rovers – the key pointsREAD MORE: ‘We’ll be busy in January’ – Steve Evans on transfer window plans
