Cardiff City make the short trip across the Severn Bridge TO face Bristol Rovers and conclude our pre-season preparations on Saturday 3rd August.
The fixture sees City travel the Memorial Stadium for the first time since 2016, with the match set to kick off at 3pm.
Opposition focus | In the dugout
In charge of the Gas is former football league defender Matt Taylor, who’s best known for his long spell with Exeter City, a team who he has also managed since.
The 42-year-old enjoyed a thirteen month spell as boss of Rotherham United between October 2022 and November 2023, narrowly keeping the Millers in the Championship at the end of 2022/23.
Taylor was then appointed as manager of Bristol Rovers on December 1st 2023; he is therefore entering his first full season at the helm.
His side have won all but one match in pre-season so far, including notable victories over Plymouth Argyle, Yeovil Town and Portuguese outfit Portimonense.
Opposition focus | Last season
The 2023/34 season saw Bristol Rovers finish 15th in League One, with a total of 57 points.
This saw them win 16 games, draw nine and lose 21, a steady improvement from the previous season's 17th place finish.
In the FA Cup, Rovers earned a Third Round replay against Norwich City as they drew 1-1 at Carrow Road, however were then beaten 3-1 in the replay.
Opposition focus | Summer business
Our opponents have brought in eleven players this summer, bolstering their squad all over the pitch.
One notable signing is young forward Promise Omochere, who joined from Fleetwood and has already impressed throughout pre-season.
Other incomings for the Gas include former Rotherham midfielder Jamie Lindsay and goalkeeper Josh Griffiths [pictured above], who has played for West Bromwich Albion and Portsmouth.
Opposition focus | Key player
Bristol Rovers’ new young Irish forward Promise Omochere is an exciting player for the West country outfit.
He has scored multiple times already this pre-season, including a goal against Championship side Plymouth Argyle most recently.
Rovers also have former Scottish champion and Premier League player Scott Sinclair in their ranks, who is known to be a dangerous player on the flanks at League One level.