Perhaps a welcome break from league football as these teams face off to decide who makes it to next stage of the EFL Trophy. All the pre-match information is available here!
It's no vacation for neither Bristol Rovers nor Stevenage as both were in action only a few days ago. Expect some tired legs on the pitch and/or possibly some changes to the lineups.
Bristol Rovers form and stats
Bristol Rovers have reached this EFL Trophy stage through battling and winning against Leyton Orient, Plymouth Argyle, Chelsea U21 and Swindon Town. Last season their EFL Trophy adventure ended in the semi-finals.5 victories, 5 draws and 2 defeats. That’s what Bristol Rovers have to build on here in the League One. This match is a EFL Trophy match, and the hometeam has the total statistics 2 wins, 2 draws and 0 losses in this competition.
Bristol Rovers drew their last game, also a home match. Coventry City was the opponent, 2-2 the score. Prior to that was the away defeat visiting Milton Keynes Dons (0-3).
Another home game is coming up fairly shortly for the hosts, as Doncaster Rovers are coming to town in three days.
A decent goal production from Bristol Rovers in their home games so far, with 18 goals from 12 league matches. Bristol Rovers's goalkeeper has had to pick the ball out of their own net 13 times. For more goal stats, check the Statistics tab above.
Stevenage form and stats
The traveling awayteam has defeated Colchester United, Fulham U21, Wycombe Wanderers and Milton Keynes Dons in order to reach 3rd Round of EFL Trophy. They also participated in EFL Trophy last season. This ended in the group stage.Stevenage have only collected 7 points from their away games in the League Two, after 0-7-6 (13 played). Total EFL Trophy statistics for Stevenage: 2 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss. The loyal fans travelling with their beloved Stevenage have enjoyed the stadium food more than the matches as the visitors have gone 13 consecutive matches without winning on the road. The last time three points were secured away was the Mansfield Town game.
Stevenage delivered a 0-0 draw playing at home against Colchester United in their previous match; a League Two game. Prior to that match, the Stevenage manager G. Westley faced defeat when travelling to Northampton Town and losing 0-1.
After this away game Stevenage return home for a League Two game against Port Vale. That game is only three sleeps after this.
There's been a serious shortage of goals from Stevenage's away games in the league this season with only 6 goals from 13 matches. 15 goals have been conceded by Stevenage in these games.
Head 2 Head
Head-2-head stats last two meetings: 0 - 1 - 1 (Bristol Rovers wins - draws - Stevenage wins). As for goals, 1 match ended with three or more goals (over 2,5), 1 had two or less.Top Goalscorers
  J. Clarke-Harris 9 goals |   K. Guthrie 5 goals |  A. Ogogo 3 goals |
Bristol Rovers missing players
Stevenage missing players
| Bristol Rovers | Stevenage | ||||||
| Total | Home | Statistics | Stat | Away | Total | ||
| 25 | 15 | Played | P | 13 | 25 | ||
| 12 | 5 | Won | W | 2 | 4 | ||
| 9 | 8 | Drew | D | 5 | 11 | ||
| 4 | 2 | Lost | L | 6 | 10 | ||
| 35 | 21 | Scored | S | 9 | 18 | ||
| 29 | 18 | Conceded | C | 16 | 32 | ||
| 92% | 93% | Over 0.5 | O 0.5 | 77% | 76% | ||
| 68% | 73% | Over 1.5 | O 1.5 | 54% | 56% | ||
| 44% | 40% | Over 2.5 | O 2.5 | 31% | 32% | ||
| 24% | 27% | Over 3.5 | O 3.5 | 15% | 16% | ||
| 12% | 13% | Over 4.5 | O 4.5 | 8% | 12% | ||
| 56% | 67% | BTTS | BTTS | 46% | 48% | ||
| 32% | 27% | Clean Sheets | C S | 31% | 32% | ||
| 20% | 13% | Failed to Score | F T | 46% | 44% | ||
| 3.9 | 4.1 | Corners For (avg) | C F | 3.8 | 4.7 | ||
| 6.7 | 5.9 | Corners Against (avg) | C A | 5.5 | 5.8 | ||
| 1.9 | 1.9 | Yellow Cards (avg) | Y C | 2.2 | 1.7 | ||
| 2 | 1 | Red Cards | R C | 0 | 1 | ||
| 299 | 193 | Total Shots | T S | 150 | 292 | ||
| 93 | 60 | Shots on Target | S O | 46 | 85 | ||
| 38% | 35% | ||||||