Rovers head to Cambridgeshire to take on Peterborough United in the third-round of the Emirates FA Cup.
Rovers take on Championship side, Peterborough United in the Emirates FA Cup third-round this Saturday (3pm KO). The Gas progressed to this round of the famous competition after overcoming fellow Sky Bet League Two side, Sutton United. Rovers' last victory against The Posh came in 2007 thanks to a late winner from Stuart Campbell. Below is all the essential info ahead of our trip to Peterborough!
Manager's Preview
Rovers Manager, Joey Barton sat down with local press ahead of this weekend's Emirates FA Cup clash at the Weston Homes Stadium.
"It’s the FA Cup. We were all but dead and buried against Oxford in the replay and the lads were incredible to get back into the tie and go on and win it. We then had a hard-fought game against Sutton at home to get to this stage and you’re in the third round of the FA Cup.
'I think we have as fair a chance as Peterborough, albeit we play a Championship level opposition, but no pressure on the lads. Go and enjoy the cup competition and then it gives us a springboard into Hartlepool next Saturday, which is the bread and butter."
Opposition View
Peterborough United Manager, Darren Ferguson spoke to Peterborough United ahead of our visit to the Weston Homes Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
“It has been a frustrating time without a game over the festive and New Year period, but you have to adapt, both in terms of the training sessions but also in terms of the preparation. Both teams haven’t played a competitive game for a while and make no mistake, Bristol Rovers have got some good players and experience in key areas.
We want to banish the memory of last season when we were beaten by Chorley. We know we have to play well to win. This competition is important to us, we want to progress for financial reasons, but also because it will give us momentum going into a run of Championship fixtures in a short space of time.”
Last Time Out
Form Guide
Saturday's opponents currently sit in 22nd place in the Championship this season. In their last six fixtures, the Posh have recorded one win which came in their game against Milwall. Peterborough United lost last time out. A 3-1 away defeat at the hands of Blackpool. This weekend's FA Cup tie will be the first game Peterborough have played since the 18th of December after their visit to Championship leaders Bournemouth was postponed.
This season's leading marksman for Peterborough is Siriki Dembélé. The Ivorian-born winger has found the back of the net on five occasions for The Posh so far this campaign.
Familiar Faces
Rovers fans could be reunited with Jonson Clarke-Harris this Saturday. Clarke-Harris joined Rovers on Deadline Day from Coventry City in January 2019. His first goal for The Gas came in our 1-1 draw against Portsmouth. Clarke-Harris won the League One Player of the Month award for his stellar performances in March 2019. In that month, Clarke-Harris scored eight goals in four matches, including a hat-trick against Blackpool. The striker departed Rovers in August 2020 where he resigned for Peterborough, who he had previously played for in 2012, on a four-year deal.
Ref Watch
Andy Davies is the man in charge of Saturday's Emirates FA Cup encounter with Peterborough United. Davies has officiated 20 games across the Championship, League One, League Two and the League Cup so far this season. In those games, Davies averages 20.50 fouls per game and hands out an average of 2.65 yellow cards every 90 minutes.
How to Follow
Due to broadcasting restrictions around the Emirates FA Cup - Saturday's game won't be available to watch on iFollow. Audio passes are available for both UK and international-based supporters. Audio passes can be purchased HERE.