Bristol Rovers: Tommy Leigh returns to predicted XI for FA Cup
The Gas manager expects to field a back four and a 4-2-3-1 formation against League One side Cambridge United.
By Anthony Brooks ·
Bristol Rovers will name Tommy Leigh in their starting lineup for the first round FA Cup match against Cambridge United.
The contest takes place Friday night at the Memorial Stadium. Bristol Rovers, currently in League Two, face a team from the third tier of English football.
Bristol Rovers have lost seven of their last nine league matches. Despite this recent form, the club has not lost an opening round FA Cup game since the 2018-19 season.
Cambridge United secured automatic promotion to League One from League Two last season. The visitors have lost only three of their 14 league matches this season, leaving them in eighth place. However, they have failed to win in their last four league games, including losses to Plymouth Argyle and Leyton Orient.
Steve Evans, the Bristol Rovers manager, has two players returning from suspension. Tommy Leigh and Kofi Balmer are expected to start. Bobby Kamwa and Ellis Harrison remain uncertain due to injuries sustained during the trip to Fleetwood Town.
Evans switched to a back four at half-time against Fleetwood Town. The prediction for Friday is that he will start with a four-man defense. Tom James is expected to hold his place at right-back.
Kofi Balmer is predicted to partner Alfie Kilgour at center-back. Ciaran Kelly, the team captain, may drop out of the starting eleven. Ben Purrington is expected to start at left-back, replacing Jack Sparkes.
In midfield, Keenan Gough and Clinton Mola are predicted to form a double pivot. This pairing started the 5-3 victory over Newport County, which was Bristol Rovers' best attacking performance this season.
Shaq Forde is expected to start on the right wing. Philip Sanyaolu, a 19-year-old, is predicted to start on the left flank. Sanyaolu has started only one game for the club, a loss to Wycombe Wanderers in the Jersey Mike's Trophy.
Tommy Leigh will play in the number 10 role. Fabrizio Cavegn is predicted to start as the lone striker. Joe Quigley, who was 60 percent fit against Fleetwood, is expected to come off the bench.
The predicted lineup is Brad Young, Tom James, Kofi Balmer, Alfie Kilgour, Ben Purrington, Keenan Gough, Clinton Mola, Shaq Forde, Tommy Leigh, Philip Sanyaolu, and Fabrizio Cavegn.
The substitute bench includes Charlie Binns, Ciaran Kelly, Macauley Southam-Hales, Jack Sparkes, Richie Smallwood, Reiss Russell-Denny, Stan Dunne, Arvin Appiah, and Joe Quigley.
