Bristol Live’s predicted Bristol Rovers team to face Cambridge United as Darrell Clarke’s side look to progress to the next round of the Vertu Trophy
Kamil Conteh of Bristol Rovers applauds fans following defeat in 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)
Bristol Rovers haven’t had much joy in League Two this season, losing their last eight games – matching an unwanted club record. Cup competitions have provided some much-needed relief, though, especially the FA Cup and Vertu Trophy, with Rovers topping their group in the latter to secure a home tie in the Round of 32.
In the first knockout stage of the competition, Rovers will play fellow League Two side, Cambridge United, at The Mem. This is already the third time the two sides have met this season, with Cambridge winning 2-0 at The Mem in the EFL Cup, before the Gas bounced back with a 1-0 win in the league.
Darrell Clarke has shown he is willing to make changes in this competition, and despite Rovers having a small squad, he will have plenty of options to pick from, especially with last week’s arrival of free agent, Callum Morton.
With that said, here is how we think Rovers will set up against the U’s…
OPINION
READ MORE: Luke Thomas on goalscoring problems after Bristol Rovers’ eighth consecutive league defeat
Goalkeeper and defence
Brad Young stepped in for all three Vertu Trophy group stage games, keeping a clean sheet in the last match against Plymouth Argyle. Luke Southwood will likely return to the starting lineup for Saturday’s trip to Port Vale and will be rested for this one.
Macauley Southam-Hales came off with an injury in the first-half against Notts County – six minutes after Tyrese Hall’s reckless challenge on the right wing-back, which resulted in a red card. Joel Senior is also out injured, so we think Clarke will select Taylor Moore at right wing-back to continue with a back five.
A more attacking option would be Luke Thomas, but we think he’ll be played higher and more centrally, meaning Moore is the most logical option, as he has played as a right-back 71 times during his career, as per Transfermarkt .
In terms of the three centre-backs, Clarke will likely rest Tom Lockyer and bring in Kacper Lopata, who returned to the squad against Notts County on Saturday. Stephan Negru and Clinton Mola have looked solid in recent weeks, and another start, coupled with another cup win, potentially would be the perfect way to boost their confidence further.
On the left-hand side of the defence, we think Jack Sparkes will be given another start. Some might argue that Bryant Bilongo could return to the starting lineup, but given how impressive Sparkes has been in the last couple of games and the need for a win of any sort, we think the 25-year-old will be given the nod for the third game in a row.
Midfield
It was a surprise to see Kamil Conteh not on the pitch from the start on Saturday, and he didn’t come on at any point as Rovers slumped to another league defeat.
In the last two Vertu Trophy games that saw Rovers win 1-0 against Cheltenham Town and Plymouth, respectively, Clarke started with a midfield two of Conteh and Ryan Howley, and given that neither played a part on Saturday, we think there is no reason that he’ll change that winning formula on Tuesday.
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Attack and striker
Thomas provided a creative spark against the Magpies on Saturday and provided a constant threat on the left-hand side alongside Sparkes. We think Clarke will start Thomas again as a flexible number 10 on the right-hand side of a 3-4-2-1.
On the left of Thomas, Freddie Issaka deserves a start after some promising cameos from the bench in recent games against Gillingham, Cheltenham, and Notts County. He wasn’t able to start the previous Vertu Trophy game as it was against his parent club, but he will surely be given a chance to impress against Cambridge.
Finally, Cavegn was one of two players to get dropped on Saturday, with Ellis Harrison playing as the lone striker. The Swiss forward came on to partner Harrison in a 4-4-2 during the second half, and we think he’ll be given a chance from the off, as he looks to score his first goal at The Mem since the 2-1 victory against Salford City on 27th September.
Bristol Rovers predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Brad Young, Taylor Moore, Stephan Negru, Kacper Lopata, Clinton Mola, Jack Sparkes, Ryan Howley, Kamil Conteh, Luke Thomas, Freddie Issaka, Fabrizio Cavegn.
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