The Pirates go up against Northampton Town
The Gas have had a worrying start to the season and find themselves struggling in the bottom half of the table, however, it is still early days and Joey Barton's men have an opportunity to shake their malaise versus Northampton in this weekend fixture.
Both sides in this fixture were were relegated from League One last season and Rovers managed to remain unbeaten versus the East Midlands club. The first game, played in North Bristol, saw The Pirates comfortably win 2-0 thanks to a penalty from Brandon Hanlan an Jack Baldwin, with Joe Martin getting sent off for the visitors. The second game, played in April this year, was a game of two differing halfs with Luke Leahy's goal putting Rovers on course for a desperately needed two wins in a row. However, Barton's side were dragged further towards their fate as a result of Sam Hoskin's late spot kick.
This game against Jon Brady's Cobbler's side will be seen by Barton as a stern test of how far his team have come.
About Bristol Rovers
Nicknamed The Pirates and The Gas, Bristol Rovers Football Club were established in 1883 and currently play in the EFL League Two, the fourth tier of English football.
The club plays its home matches at the 12,300 capacity Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of Bristol. Having been bought by billionaire Jordanian Waed al-Qadi and his family in 2016, Rovers have struggled to live up to expectations and will be looking to prove doubters wrong in the 2021/22 season.
Bristol Rovers have played in the English football league since 1920, with their best-ever finish being in both 1956 and 1959 when they secured sixth place in the second tier of English football, then known as Division Two.
Having suffered relegation to League Two in 2011 and then into the Conference in 2014, they managed to bounce straight back with two consecutive promotions in 2014/15 and 2015/16 to regain their League One status in 2016/17, where they remained for 4 years before their relegation back to League Two last season.
The club's honours include the 1990 Football League Third Division title when they finished 2 points ahead of arch-rivals and that seasons Runners-Up, Bristol City. Find Bristol Rovers' full 2020/21 fixture list here.