Coincidence has it that Bristol Rovers play Sunderland in consecutive League One games six months apart, and Ben Garner will hope his new-look side can recreate some of the magic from March 10.
Just days before the 2019/20 season was suspended – and ultimately curtailed – the Gas suffocated the Black Cats at the Mem with rampant and relentless pressing which derailed Sunderland’s promotion hopes.
Saturday sees the teams clash again, this time at the Stadium of Light and Phil Parkinson’s side will be desperate for revenge.
Garner, meanwhile, is in need of an improved performance after a shaky start to the season in cup competition, and he goes into the game with a new striker in the ranks. This is the XI Bristol Live expects him to select.
Defence
The return of Anssi Jaakkola from international duty is a big bonus for the Gas and the Finn will be drafted straight into the starting XI, with Jordi van Stappershoef dropping to the bench after starting in the two cup games.
Jaakkola will be guarded by a back three, with Max Ehmer and Alfie Kilgour almost certain to start, though their positions depend on who is the third man in defence.
Garner has a variety of options with Mark Little, Cian Harries, Michael Kelly and Jack Baldwin offering different qualities in the role, and there is a very good chance Baldwin is the man picked for the job.
He has a point to prove after being scapegoated by Sunderland supporters for the Black Cats’ failure to meet expectations in the season before last – as shown by the Netflix documentary Sunderland ‘Til I Die – and he will be eager to get one over on his old club.
His performances in the two cup games – one of which came in holding midfield – have been mixed but he will bring experience and ability to play out from the back.
If Baldwin plays it would likely be in the centre of the three, where he started at Ipswich, to allow him to get on the ball and look to build attacks from deep.
The most likely alternative is Harries, a natural left-footer, who could play on that side to bring balance.
Luke Leahy is likely to start at left-wing-back, though David Tutonda is an option after a decent debut on Tuesday. The right flank could be occupied by Alex Rodman, Josh Hare or Little, and if Rodman is fit enough to start after illness he could be the one to get the nod.
Midfield
Zain Westbrooke and Josh Grant seem like nailed-on starters for this game as the central midfield duo, especially with Ed Upson missing out with suspension.
Cameron Hargreaves and Tom Mehew will be alternative options in the squad. Lucas Tomlinson could make the trip too.
Attack
After looking lively and scoring a very good goal on Tuesday, Jonah Ayunga has done enough to earn his first League One start for the Gas on Saturday.
The game will come too early for new signing Brandon Hanlan to play the 90 minutes, you would suspect, having had just one training session with his new club, but he will be a good option from the bench alongside James Daly.
The two withdrawn roles behind Ayunga are likely to be occupied by Sam Nicholson and Jayden Mitchell-Lawson, who have the makings of a dynamic duo as they build more chemistry.
Hargreaves and Zain Walker are alternatives, with the former in particular a viable option due to his tireless pressing which was so effective against Sunderland in Rovers’ last League One game – a 2-0 win at the Mem on March 10.
