Bristol Live’s predicted Bristol Rovers team to face Gillingham as Darrell Clarke’s side look to climb the League Two table
Luke Thomas celebrates scoring for Bristol Rovers.(Image: Photo: Jake Manuell/PPAUK)
The FA Cup victory at Bromley was a timely one for Bristol Rovers after a dismal October, which saw them drop into the bottom half of the League Two table.
Goals from Fabrizio Cavegn and Joel Cotterill against Andy Woodman’s side have restored hope that November could be a more positive month for the Gas, with Gillingham the next test at the Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
The visit of the Gills could be a telling one in the direction of the season for Darrell Clarke’s side. While they sit only six points behind Chesterfield, who occupy the final play-off spot, Rovers are only five points above the relegation zone.
Saturday’s opponents are hardly on a sparkling run of their own. Gillingham are winless in seven in all competitions, with manager Gareth Ainsworth currently absent from the touchline following heart surgery in early October.
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Since Richard Dobson has deputised for Ainsworth, the Gills have only picked up one point in four League Two games, while also exiting the FA Cup at the hands of Newport County.
On Tuesday, Gillingham posted a video of Ainsworth at the training ground on X. The 52-year-old said: “It feels good to be back at the training ground while the boys are training – let’s see how the week goes but so far, so good, up the Gills!”
The charismatic Ainsworth will be in attendance on Saturday in the stands and with Gillingham in need of a win to boost their promotion credentials, Saturday could prove to be a tough test for Clarke’s side.
With that said, here is how we think Rovers will set up against Gillingham…
Goalkeeper and defence
There is no doubt who will be between the sticks for Rovers on Saturday. Luke Southwood was a standout performer at Bromley, making a few important saves in the second half, as the Ravens pushed forward.
As already mentioned, October was a torrid month for the Gas, as they conceded 14 goals in four League Two games. It was a far more assured defensive display at Bromley, though, with Tom Lockyer, Stephan Negru and Clinton Mola holding firm in a back three.
There is certainly no shortage of centre-back options for Clarke, with the likes of Kacper Lopata and Taylor Moore waiting in the wings. The balance seemed to be right on Saturday, though, with Lockyer in the middle of Negru and Mola against a direct Bromley side.
With Ainsworth renowned for engineering physical lower league teams, it is likely that Rovers will encounter a similar test on Saturday. As a result, Clarke could easily stick with the same three centre-backs, but given the return of Jack Sparkes following his one-match suspension, we expect the left-back to return to the lineup in a back four – replacing Mola.
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Macauley Southam-Hales returned to the starting eleven against Bromley after missing the Crawley defeat with an injury. He will almost certainly line up on the right-side of the defence on Saturday, but will have to be careful as he is only one yellow card away from a one-match suspension.
Midfield
There was a youthful look to Rovers’ centre-midfield partnership on Saturday, with 23-year-old Alfie Chang and 21-year-old Cotterill lining up at Bromley. The latter was the beneficiary of a sweeping counter attack from the Gas in the second half, scoring his first goal for the club in the 79th minute.
The two loanees showed maturity in last weekend’s win, and Clarke might be tempted to start the pair against Gillingham. We think the Rovers boss will want to bulk up that area of the pitch against Gillingham with an extra player. Kamil Conteh is the most likely candidate to come in as the deepest midfielder, given the likely injury absence of Josh McEachran.
Kamil Conteh plays during the Sky Bet League 2 match between Bristol Rovers and Barrow at the Memorial Stadium in Bristol, England, on September 13, 2025. (Photo by Stuart Leggett/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)(Image: Photo by Stuart Leggett/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Attack and striker
Cavegn scored his seventh goal of the season in all competitions against Bromley, while also adding his first assist of the campaign to set up Cotterill. The Swiss forward has had limited service in recent weeks, struggling to make an impact in the heavy defeats against MK Dons, Tranmere Rovers and Crawley Town.
He was a threat throughout in the win against the Ravens, though, hitting the side-netting in the first-half before registering two goal contributions after the break to book Rovers’ spot in the next round. Cavegn will start up top for the Gas on Saturday.
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Clarke has a decision to make on the right-wing. Shaq Forde started against Bromley before being replaced by Luke Thomas with the score at 0-0. Thomas made an instant impact, delivering an inch-perfect cross to Cavegn for the opener and playing a through ball to the Swiss striker, who then set up Cotterill for the second.
Forde was one of few bright sparks in October after returning to the team against Tranmere, but given the impact of Thomas against Bromley, we expect him to return to the starting lineup on the right.
Finally, Ruel Sotiriou started on the left in the FA Cup, and showed signs of combining well with Cavegn. The 25-year-old has had a mixed time at Rovers since joining in the summer of 2024 and could be trusted with another start against Gillingham, given the absence of Promise Omochere and Ellis Harrison.
Bristol Rovers predicted XI (4-3-3): Luke Southwood, Macauley Southam-Hales, Tom Lockyer, Stephan Negru, Jack Sparkes, Kamil Conteh, Alfie Chang, Joel Cotterill, Luke Thomas, Ruel Sotiriou, Fabrizio Cavegn
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