Bristol Rovers predicted team vs Tranmere Rovers: Defensive shake-up as Mees Rijks continues adaptation
Here is our Bristol Rovers predicted team, as they travel to Tranmere Rovers in League Two
Mees Rijks of Bristol Rovers applauds the fans after the Sky Bet League 2 match between Bristol Rovers and Fleetwood Town at Memorial Stadium, Bristol on 3 April 2026 (Photo: Rachel Le Poidevin/PPAUK)(Image: Rachel Le Poidevin/PPAUK)
Bristol Rovers are looking to make history and win seven straight league games for the first time since the 1952/53 season. After six League Two wins in a row against Shrewsbury Town, Gillingham, Accrington Stanley, Fleetwood Town, Harrogate Town and Crawley Town, the Gas head to Tranmere Rovers looking to extend that run.
Tranmere have only picked up five points from their last 18 League Two games, which has seen them tumble down to 20th with four matches to play. They sit only a point above the bottom two following Barrow’s dramatic 3-2 win against Oldham in midweek.
Pete Wild came in as interim head coach on March 10 to replace Andy Parkinson. So far, Wild has picked up two points from six matches, including last weekend’s 1-1 draw at play-off chasing Chesterfield.
It’s a hard team to predict this week, as Alfie Kilgour has been struggling with a hernia problem for the last couple of months, and Tom Lockyer is suspended following his red card against Crawley. This leaves Rovers short of defensive options, and as a result, Evans might consider shifting away from the 3-4-1-2 shape that has been frequently used in recent weeks.
With that said, here is how we think Rovers will set up against The Super White Army…
READ MORE: Steve Evans on Jed Ward and his prospects for next seasonREAD MORE: ‘Three or four players identified for every position’ – Steve Evans on Bristol Rovers transfer window plans
Goalkeeper and defence
I don’t think there’s any doubt who will start in goal for Rovers. Brad Young pulled off another brilliant save to deny Tobi Adeyemo early in the second half last weekend and has been a crucial player during the upturn in form under Evans. He will start again in this one.
With both Kilgour and Lockyer potential absentees for the trip to Tranmere, there is a shortage of centre-back options if Evans sticks with a 3-4-1-2. We think he will start with this formation again, as the shift to a 4-3-3 in the first-half against Harrogate didn’t work.
Kofi Balmer and Riley Harbottle are guaranteed starters right now, and we think Clinton Mola could be the man to step in on the left-hand side of a back three.
While midfield looks to be Mola’s best role, he has looked solid at centre-back when selected, particularly under Evans, and it would allow the manager to give other players an opportunity in the centre of the park.
At right wing-back, Joel Senior will likely keep his place, despite the fact that Macauley Southam-Hales is “back in the group” according to Evans.
Senior provided the assist for Mees Rijks’ first goal for the club last weekend, and it’s become clear in recent weeks that he’s more suited to a wing-back role rather than playing as a right-back in a flat four.
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On the other side, Jack Sparkes will keep his place. There is a lack of depth in this position, following Bryant Bilongo’s departure in January, and it will be something that Evans will want to address in the summer transfer window.
Sparkes is a reliable figure on this side, though, and his crossing ability from set-pieces, in particular, has been a key part of the recent form.
Midfield
With Richie Smallwood ineligible as Rovers face his parent club and Mola potentially moving back to centre-back, the likes of Ryan De Havilland, Kane Thompson-Sommers, and Josh McEachran will have their eyes on a starting place on Saturday.
Tommy Leigh excelled in a deeper midfield role against Crawley last weekend, and we think he’ll keep that role at Prenton Park. De Havilland is the most likely contender to partner him, as the former Peterborough United midfielder showed signs of his quality earlier in Evans’ time at the club.
Attack and striker
Shaq Forde will have his eye on another start in the number 10 role, after another bright display against Crawley. Supporters might be frustrated that Yusuf Akhamrich, who scored the third against the Red Devils in the 96th minute, is not in this starting lineup.
However, he has looked best in wide positions, and the narrow 3-4-1-2 shape has proved difficult for Evans to find a place for him from the start in recent weeks.
His impact off the bench can’t be underestimated as well, and if things aren’t going to plan, he gives Evans the flexibility to shift to a wider shape against tiring opposition.
We think Evans will stick with the two strikers that started last weekend, and it’s not just because they both scored. Rijks needs more competitive minutes to continue his adaptation to English football, while Ellis Harrison is playing for a contract extension, with his current deal set to expire at the end of the season.
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After the game on Saturday, Evans said: “Ellis has been simply outstanding for me since I’ve come into the football club, both on the pitch and off it,” but added: “I need to think what value of money are we going to get for what Ellis would achieve in a contract negotiation with the club.”
With three goals in his last two games, he is doing a good job of convincing Evans and the board that he is worthy of another year in BS7.
Bristol Rovers predicted team (3-4-1-2): Brad Young, Kofi Balmer, Riley Harbottle, Clinton Mola, Joel Senior, Tommy Leigh, Ryan De Havilland, Jack Sparkes, Shaq Forde, Ellis Harrison, Mees Rijks.
Subs: Luke Southwood, Joe Quigley, Fabrizio Cavegn, Luke Thomas, Yusuf Akhamrich, Josh McEachran, Macauley Southam-Hales.
READ MORE: Bristol Rovers team news and injury latest – Updates on Clinton Mola, Riley Harbottle, Promise Omochere and Alfie KilgourREAD MORE: ‘So far, so good’ – Kian Hill impressing in training for Bristol Rovers
