Bristol Rovers v Wrexham: Prediction, Tips and Odds

David Horseman takes temporary charge of Bristol Rovers on Saturday following the sacking of Matt Taylor and he could not have asked for a much sterner League One baptism.

Horseman and caretaker coach Lee Cattermole have had four days to lift the fast-falling Gas and prepare for the visit of big-spending, high-flying Wrexham to the Memorial Stadium.

Bristol Rovers v Wrexham betting tips and predictions

Wrexham to win - 17/20

Rovers go into their final match before Christmas without a full-time manager and they won't be expecting any gifts from in-form visitors Wrexham.

The Gas and the Dragons could not be sat much further apart in the League One table, with Wrexham just two points adrift of leaders Wycombe Wanderers, while Rovers are just two points above the bottom four.

Rovers have lost three in a row and are the third lowest scorers in the division; Wrexham are unbeaten in five and boast the section's meanest defence.

Clearly the ousted Matt Taylor couldn't get much of a tune out of Rovers this term and supporters will be hoping that local man Horseman's desire for passion and heart, as much as tactics and style, reaps an instant reward.

The fire and brimstone approach will be interesting to see play out though whether it will solve Rovers' goalscoring crisis is more doubtful.

They welcome their Welsh opponents on a run of no goals scored in their last four matches in all competitions, culminating in last weekend's 2-0 loss at Birmingham City, in which Rovers had three shots to the Blues' 28.

They did at least manage one shot on target which was an improvement on the previous week's 3-0 loss at Leyton Orient and also the league game before that, a 2-0 home loss to Blackpool.

Not testing the keeper in back-to-back matches is a major concern and will be music to the ears of a visitors' defence which has shipped only 13 goals in 20 matches.

Phil Parkinson's men, a National League side 18 months ago, have had no issues adapting to the demands of tier three, their only losses so far coming at top-half sides Birmingham, Stevenage and Stockport County.

They have been to places like Rotherham United and Peterborough United and won and drawn at Charlton Athletic and Bolton Wanderers.

They will feel piqued at not having beaten Cambridge United last weekend at home, drawing 2-2 with a performance that really didn't deserve much more.

Expect them to put things right this weekend at the Memorial Stadium.

Half With Most Goals - 1st Half - 11/5

Expect Rovers to make some sort of a statement start under their new interim head coach Horseman.

 Horseman is demanding energy and passion from his team, which could lead to quite an open first 45 minutes.

Given that Wrexham's matches produce more first-half goals (24) than in the second half (21) and the imbalance is mirrored on the road - nine first-half goals, five second-half - there may be some value in the first half producing the most goals.

Race to 3 Corners - Bristol Rovers - 11/10

A bullish start from Rovers could also see them win the race to three corners even if ultimately it doesn't see them win the match.

Under Taylor Rovers were averaging 4.8 corners per home game while Wrexham chalk up an average of four on the road.

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Bristol Rovers v Wrexham odds

Bristol Rovers - 3/1
Draw - 13/5
Wrexham - 17/20

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.