Preview: Newport County vs Bristol Rovers – prediction, team news, lineups KIK BALL

Newport County will aim to end a miserable losing streak when they host Bristol Rovers at Rodney Parade on Saturday for a League Two meeting. 

The hosts have lost all of their last five matches across all competitions, while the visitors are undefeated in their last four games in all competitions. 

Match preview

Newport County narrowly secured their League Two survival last season, finishing 22nd in the table and just five points above the drop zone. 

Nelson Jardim was sacked toward the end of that campaign, with Dafydd Williams briefly taking charge before new boss David Hughes was hired ahead of the new season. 

Hughes got off to a strong start to the new campaign as his side remained undefeated in their first three matches of the term, including defeating Barnet on penalties in the EFL Cup first round, as well as drawing 1-1 with Notts County and beating Crawley Town 2-1 in the league. 

However, Newport have since lost all of the subsequent five games, including being knocked out of the EFL Cup by Millwall in the second round. 

Their league results, one win, one draw and four defeats, leave them 20th in the standings with just four points, and Hughes will be desperate to put an end to their losing run and move further away from the drop zone.

However, Newport County meet a Bristol Rovers side that have entered a strong run of form heading into Saturday’s encounter, with the visitors unbeaten in their last four outings across all competitions. 

The Gas, who were relegated from League One last season, have drawn with Oldham Athletic and defeated both Cambridge United and Grimsby Town in their last three league games, while they also defeated Tottenham Hotspur Under-21’s on penalties after a 4-4 draw in the EFL Trophy. 

Those results mark a significant improvement on their underwhelming start to the campaign, which saw Darrell Clarke‘s men lose all of their first four fixtures. 

Having now climbed to 16th in the table, Bristol Rovers will look to continue their impressive run of results and ascend further up the table with a win on Saturday.

The Gas have struggled in this fixture, however, managing only three victories and suffering four defeats in their last seven meetings with Newport County.

Newport County League Two form:

Newport County form (all competitions):

Bristol Rovers League Two form:

Bristol Rovers form (all competitions):

Team News

Newport County are set to be without Lee Jenkins and Ben Lloyd for this match due to their involvement with their respective international teams. 

Ciaran Brennan could replace Lloyd in midfield, playing alongside Cameron Antwi and Matthew Smith, while Cameron Evans could start alongside Matthew Baker and Thomas Davies in defence in Jenkins’s absence. 

As for Bristol Rovers, Luke Southwood, Dan Ellison, Joel Cotterill and Ollie Dewsbury are all unavailable for selection after receiving international call-ups. 

Ellis Harrison and Ruel Sotiriou may also be doubts after coming off in their last match against Grimsby Town with injury concerns. 

Elsewhere, Promise Omochere and Luke Thomas are expected to remain on the wings, while Josh McEachran and Kamil Conteh should continue in the middle of the park.

Newport County possible starting lineup:

Tzanev; Ogunneye, Baker, Evans, Davies, Driscoll-Glennon; Smith, Brennan, Antwi; Garner, Spellman

Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:

Young; Southam, Lopata, Kilgour, Sparkes; Conteh, McEachran; Thomas, Sotiriou, Omochere; Harrison

We say: Newport County 1-2 Bristol Rovers

Newport County may have a respectable record in this fixture, but the hosts are certain to be low on confidence given their miserable form, while the visitors will be boosted by their recent run of four matches without defeat, leading us to expect an away win.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

No Data Analysis info

Previews by email