Bristol Rovers will continue their push for the League Two playoffs when they welcome Colchester United to the Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.

The visitors, meanwhile, sit eight points clear of the drop zone and a victory against the Gas would help alleviate any relegation fears.

Match preview

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Bristol Rovers have excelled in the second part of the season, losing just two of their 15 league games in 2022.

In fact, the Gas have picked up more points this calendar year than any other League Two side, and their positive run of form has seen them mount a push for the playoffs.

They enter Tuesday's contest off the back of consecutive victories, including a comfortable 3-0 home win against Harrogate Town on Saturday.

Aaron Collins opened the scoring for the Gas before Elliot Anderson doubled the advantage before half time and another Collins goal after the interval ensured that Bristol Rovers would add three more points to their tally.

Another home game awaits on Tuesday, and the Gas will be confident of a positive result having avoided defeat in their previous seven home encounters, with Rovers claiming six clean sheets across those contests.

Meanwhile, the visitors will also be in high spirits as they look extend their unbeaten run to five matches, with Colchester looking to put more space between them and the drop zone.

Colchester will be searching for a third consecutive victory after beating Port Vale and Scunthorpe United in their last two matches.

The U's fell behind in the 11th minute against Scunthorpe courtesy of a Joe Nuttall effort, but Colchester were given a boost when Luke Matheson was sent off for the Irons.

Wayne Brown's side made the numerical advantage count, as Noah Chilvers grabbed a brace, while Owura Edwards also put his name on the scoresheet to help Colchester clinch a 3-1 victory.

They will now bid to win three matches in a row for the first time this season, and three points on Tuesday would go a long way to sealing Colchester's place in the EFL for another season.

Team News

Bristol Rovers are still missing Alfie Kilgour and Josh Grant due to injury issues.

After missing the last two games, Sam Nicholson could come back into the squad, although he may have to settle for a place on the bench.

Following Saturday's impressive performance, Barton could name an unchanged lineup for Tuesday's contest.

As for the visitors, they welcomed Cole Skuse and Edwards back into the starting lineup on Saturday following their respective injury issues.

Tommy Smith also came into the side for the win over Scunthorpe and the 31-year-old will partner Luke Chambers in the centre of defence.

Freddie Sears will be looking to add to the 10 league goals that he has scored this season when he leads the line for the visitors on Tuesday.

Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:
Belshaw; Hoole, Taylor, Connolly, Anderton; Coutts, Finley; H. Anderson, Evans, E. Anderson; Collins

Colchester United possible starting lineup:
George; Coxe, Chambers, Smith, Kenlock; Wiredu, Skuse; Hannant, Chilvers, Edwards; Sears

We say: Bristol Rovers 2-1 Colchester United

Although the U's have enjoyed a four-game unbeaten run, we think that will come to an end on Tuesday when they come up against the a Bristol Rovers side who have proven to be the most in-form team in League Two this calendar year.

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