It’s a cross-border derby in the League Two early kickoff as Bristol Rovers head over the Severn Bridge to face Newport County.
League Two
Our Three Predictions For Newport County vs Bristol Rovers
- Prediction 1 – Ruel Sotiriou To Score – 7/4
- Prediction 2 – Under 2.5 Goals Scored – 20/21
- Prediction 3 – Bristol Rovers To Win – 4/5
First Prediction For Newport County vs Bristol Rovers – Ruel Sotiriou To Score – 7/4
Neither side has had an outstanding attacking player so far this season so it is hard to put a name on someone likely to score in this game. Ruel Sotiriou could be that player as Bristol Rovers’ key creative force in the midfield, even if he has not had the best start to the season. The Cypriot international’s versatility across the front line means he might be handed the chance to play further forward or wider if Darrell Clarke needs it to support players like Promise Omochere and Ellis Harrison. Whilst there is a chance he could be benched in this game, considering how often he has been substituted so far this season, Sotiriou could also be the one to change the match if he is brought on against a weary Newport County defence in the final stages of this clash.
Second Prediction For Newport County vs Bristol Rovers – Under 2.5 Goals Scored – 20/21
While defensive frailties have characterised these two teams’ seasons, the attacks have been fairly lacklustre. Both sides are under an average of 1 goal per game, with the Exiles leading with five goals to Rovers’ 4. While the Gasmen have been involved with goals after a 4-4 goalfest in the EFL Trophy against Tottenham Hotspur’s academy side, they have failed to translate that to their League Two matches, failing to score in three of their opening six matches. While County have done well to score in matches, they have only scored more than once in two of their last 14, highlighting an attacking struggle which stems from the end of last season. This derby might be a tense encounter but the goals may not come easily.
Third Prediction For Newport County vs Bristol Rovers – Bristol Rovers To Win – 4/5
Newport have been in very poor form, as of late and with Bristol Rovers grinding out some solid wins as of late, the visitors may feel they have a great chance to win on Saturday. They claimed their first away win of the season against Grimsby Town and are now four games unbeaten in both league and cup. Draws are not common occurences in this fixture so there might be a winner, and with the League One pedigree much of the Pirates’ squad has from last season might have a good effect against a Newport side tipped to struggle this season. If there was ever a game for the Exiles to step up, it is this one, but Rovers should have the edge in this contest.
Best Odds For Newport County vs Bristol Rovers
| Bookmaker | Newport County | Draw | Bristol Rovers |
| Betarno | 23/10 | 13/5 | 4/5 |
| Gentleman Jim | 5/2 | 14/5 | 5/6 |
| Myriadplay | 12/5 | 27/10 | 4/5 |
Full Preview Of The Game: Last Results And Head-To-Head
Newport County’s new era under David Hughes has got off to a rocky start with just one win so far this season against Crawley Town in the second week of the League Two season. The Exiles have had the double-edged sword of facing an extra game compared to most teams following their preliminary EFL Cup game against Barnet which opened the English football season. County are on a five-game losing streak since their defeat to Millwall in the cup first round, and sit in 20th place heading into the weekend’s fixtures. Should they face defeat once again, that position will drop further with two teams below them in Accrington Stanley and Cheltenham Town facing off in a crucial match for both sides. Deadline day saw two incomings for the South Wales side with the recruitment of midfielders Nathan Opoku and Sammy Braybrooke on loan from Championship side Leicester City.
Bristol Rovers have finally found their feet since their return to League Two with seven points in their last three games and currently sit with two wins on the bounce after victories over Cambridge United and Grimsby Town. The Pirates are on a four-game unbeaten streak in total, with their electric 4-4 draw with the Tottenham Hotspur academy side in the EFL Trophy. Clean sheets have also started to appear, with three of their league matches ending with Luke Southwood shutting out the opponent’s attack, but they have seen struggles in offence with four goals in the fourth tier after six games, putting them in 16th ahead of the weekend. It was a busy deadline day for Rovers to cap off a summer of change, which saw 21 players leave the Memorial Stadium. Four incoming loan deals were done, with defender Stephan Negru arriving from Oxford United, joined by Swansea City midfielder Joel Cotterill, Birmingham City‘s Alfie Chang and Plymouth Argyle‘s Freddie Issaka. Isaac Hutchinson was loaned out to Cheltenham Town.
The rivalry took a year-long break with the difference in divisions between the two sides, with the last match between these sides being in the EFL Trophy group stages in November 2023. It was the Gasmen that won at Rodney Parade with a 1-0 scoreline. Since 2012, there have been eight matches between the sides, and The Exiles hold the edge with five wins to Rovers’ three. The last league encounter was in 2022, with County winning 1-0 at home courtesy of James Waite.
Ben Toner will referee this match, his third appointment of the season. He has officiated in League Two already this season with last weekend’s fiesty encounter between Crawley Town and Chesterfield, which ended 2-2 with eight yellow cards and a penalty awarded. His other match was in League One with Mansfield Town’s win over Blackpool where there were no yellow cards and yet another penalty given.
Confrontation
Where To Watch Newport County vs Bristol Rovers
Where can I watch the game, either on TV or in person?
- Location: Rodney Parade, Newport, Gwent, NP19 0UU
- Date: September 6th, 2025
This game is available to watch in the UK, on Sky Sports Football, Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports+, with kick-off at 12:30 pm.
Probable Lineups For Newport County vs Bristol Rovers
What sort of lineup can we expect from this important League Two clash?
Predicted Newport County Lineup
- Lineup: Tzanev; Baker, Jenkins, Davies; Ogunneye, Antwi, Smith, Lloyd, Driscoll-Glennon; Garner, Spellman
- Injured/Suspended: Patten
- Manager: David Hughes
Predicted Bristol Rovers Lineup
- Lineup: Southwood; Southam-Hales, Kilgour, Negru, Sparkes; Conteh, McEachran; Omochere, Sotiriou, Issaka; Harrison
- Injured/Suspended:
- Manager: Darrell Clarke
