Bristol Rovers host Cheltenham Town this evening in the first round of the EFL Cup.
The Gas are still looking to score their first goal of the season following Saturday's goalless draw against Wycombe Wanderers, but they did look threatening at times against the Chairboys.
Predicting how Rovers will line up for the game is not easy.
It is manager Graham Coughlan's first EFL Cup game, so there is no precedent for how he will approach the game, with some managers opting to rotate the squad in this competition.
With Rovers having a hectic August, Coughlan may well opt to give players a break, but, at the same time, there is the possibility that Rovers play a full-strength side in order to chalk up their first win of the season.
Here is a look at how Rovers may take to the field this evening...
Goalkeeper
Anssi Jaakkola kept a clean sheet on Saturday and made a couple of sharp saves, but the Finn is yet to properly convince enough between the sticks to be labelled Rovers' out-and-out number one.
Graham Coughlan split playing time between Jaakkola and Jordi van Stappershoef pretty equally during pre-season, and spoke highly of both goalkeepers. Is it worth giving Dutchman van Stappershoef the opportunity to impress, or stick with Jaakkola for continuity?
It's a difficult choice, but I can see Jaakkola keeping his place.
Defence
Mark Little is unlikely to play after being substituted early on against Wycombe due to tightness. Therefore, it seems likely that Josh Hare will make his full debut after coming on as a sub for Little on Saturday.
In the centre, Coughlan may want to give Alfie Kilgour a game at centre-back, just to keep him in shape, whilst also allowing one of Tom Davies or Tony Craig a rest.
Luke Leahy seems to be the first-choice left-back at the moment and I expect that to continue tonight.
Midfield
Rovers played four central midfielders against Wycombe, but I expect to see them go a little more attacking against Cheltenham Town.
It could well be a case that Ollie Clarke, Ed Upson and Liam Sercombe start in the midfield, to give the Gas plenty of creativity through the middle, with Alex Rodman and Kyle Bennett starting on the wings.
Neither Bennett nor Rodman started against Wycombe, but it is their pace and creativity that will provide the chances when Rovers see more of the ball than their opposition.
Attack
Jonson Clarke-Harris is unlikely to start against Cheltenham. He's in need of minutes but I can't see him having enough match fitness to be risked from the off just yet.
If Rovers were to line up in a 4-3-3 with wingers, then there would be one striker leading the line. Victor Adeboyejo performed pretty well against Wycombe, but there is competition from Tom Nichols and Tyler Smith.
I think Adeboyejo will start, with Smith being used off the bench along with Clarke-Harris.
Predicted Bristol Rovers XI vs Cheltenham Town: Jaakkola; Hare, Kilgour, Craig, Leahy; Rodman, Clarke, Upson, Sercombe, Bennett; Adeboyejo.
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