Sunday , 16 August 2026

Bristol Rovers FC vs Portsmouth FC, League One 2023-24 REGULAR SEASON

League One · 2023-24
Bristol Rovers FC
2 – 1
Full Time
Portsmouth FC
Tue 26 Dec 2023 · 15:00 UTC Memorial Stadium 9,176 HT 45' · FT 45'
Antony Evans 66' 1–0
1–1 76' Paddy Lane
Luke Thomas 90+4' 2–1
Y 20' Alex Robertson
Y 48' Jack Sparkes
Y 65' Joe Morrell
Antony Evans 69' Y
Y 69' Sean Raggett
Y 78' Paddy Lane
Sam Finley 80' Y
Matthew Cox 90' Y
Chris Martin 90' Y
Y 90' Abu Kamara

Overview

Match Preview

Bristol Rovers FC vs Portsmouth FC — League One at Memorial Stadium.

Match Details

  • Referee Scott Tallis (England)
  • Assistant 1 Ollie Williams
  • Assistant 2 Darren Wilding

Standings

# Team P Pts
1 Lincoln City FC 46 103
2 Cardiff City FC 46 91
3 Bolton Wanderers FC 46 75
4 Exeter City FC 46 49
5 Port Vale FC 46 42
6 Rotherham United FC 46 41
7 Northampton Town FC 46 35
8 Huddersfield Town AFC 1 3
9 Stockport County FC 1 3
10 Bradford City AFC 1 3
11 Luton Town FC 1 3
12 Cambridge United FC 1 3
13 Mansfield Town FC 1 3
14 Sheffield Wednesday FC 1 3
15 Bromley FC 1 3
16 Oxford United FC 1 1
17 Milton Keynes Dons FC 1 1
18 Stevenage FC 1 1
19 Wycombe Wanderers FC 1 1
20 Blackpool FC 1 1
21 Burton Albion FC 1 1
22 Leicester City FC 1 1
23 Notts County FC 1 1
24 Reading FC 1 0
25 Wigan Athletic FC 1 0
26 Doncaster Rovers FC 1 0
27 Leyton Orient FC 1 0
28 Barnsley FC 1 0
29 Plymouth Argyle FC 1 0
30 Peterborough United FC 1 0
31 AFC Wimbledon 1 0

Head-to-Head

2
3
4
Bristol Rovers FC 9 games · Avg 2.8 goals Portsmouth FC
Last 5 meetings
2023-12-26 Bristol Rovers FC 2–1 Portsmouth FC 2023-08-05 Portsmouth FC 1–1 Bristol Rovers FC 2023-03-18 Bristol Rovers FC 0–2 Portsmouth FC 2022-08-20 Portsmouth FC 3–1 Bristol Rovers FC 2021-04-24 Portsmouth FC 1–0 Bristol Rovers FC

Recent Form

Bristol Rovers FC
DateOpponentH/A ScoreResult
26 Dec Portsmouth FC H 2–1 W
23 Dec Blackpool FC A 1–3 L
16 Dec Bolton Wanderers FC A 2–1 W
12 Dec Crewe Alexandra FC A 4–2 W
09 Dec Cheltenham Town FC H 1–1 D
28 Nov Leyton Orient FC H 1–1 D
Portsmouth FC
DateOpponentH/A ScoreResult
26 Dec Bristol Rovers FC A 1–2 L
23 Dec Fleetwood Town FC H 1–1 D
16 Dec Shrewsbury Town FC A 3–0 W
11 Dec Bolton Wanderers FC H 2–0 W
02 Dec Northampton Town FC A 3–0 W
28 Nov Burton Albion FC A 2–0 W

Key Stats

78% Both Teams to Score
H2H (9 games)
56% Over 2.5 Goals
H2H history

Events

Match Events

  • 0' The referee blows the starting whistle. The fans are roaring. The teams are ready for the match. Bristol Rovers FC is hosting Portsmouth FC for another epic battle.
  • 5' Supporters expect more eagerness from Alex Robertson, as he is very good at scoring at Memorial Stadium with 0 goals in the last 0 games.
  • 10' has dominated the recent head-to-head record, winning 0 of the last 0 meetings.
  • 15' The teams are not in a rush to score plenty of goals. It might look strange considering Portsmouth FC that had 371 games and scored 525 goals.
  • 20' Poor challenge from Alex Robertson. The referee spots it immediately and shows the card.
  • 25' Spectators are craving for more action. Both teams play very cautiously. They need to put some more energy.
  • 30' We miss some good tackles and strikes. Is there anyone on the field to put the game back to action?
  • 35' Bristol Rovers FC have won 317 goals from 291 games. They will be desperate to add to that tally today.
  • 40' Bristol Rovers FC are happy to let the opposition have the ball in their own half. The trap is set.
  • 45' The tempo has dropped considerably in the last few minutes. Matt Taylor will be considering his options from the bench.
  • 48' Jack Sparkes was booked on 48.
  • 52' Another change for Portsmouth FC made on 52 minute. Alex Robertson leaves to be changed by Christian Saydee.
  • 57' Players seem to put ease on their energy level Spectators hardly appreciate such approach. Teams need to speed up the tempo.
  • 62' Over 62 minutes have gone by without a meaningful attack. The supporters want more.
  • 65' Controversy at the stadium! Joe Morrell argues furiously but the card stands.
  • 66' What a moment for Antony Evans! That strike on 66 puts his side firmly in control.
  • 69' The referee has no hesitation. Antony Evans is booked for Bristol Rovers FC — card on 69.
  • 72' Chris Martin has so much to prove this time. He replaces John Marquis on 72 minute.
  • 73' Kusini Yengi is replacing Gavin Whyte for the Portsmouth FC side.
  • 76' What an equalizer from Paddy Lane!
  • 78' It’s a booking for Portsmouth FC player. Paddy Lane gets a card.
  • 80' Sam Finley is having his name booked by the referee on 80.
  • 85' The Array continues to deliver drama. Both Bristol Rovers FC and Portsmouth FC are desperate not to drop points on matchday .
  • 87' It is a substitution in Bristol Rovers FC team. Tristan Crama is replaced by Jack Hunt on 87 minute.
  • 90' Matthew Cox has been a danger all night but risks an early exit having now seen a card on 90.
  • Both sets of fans can go home satisfied — a 2-1 draw is a fair result on the day.

Lineups

Bristol Rovers FC Lineups

Starting XI

Bench

Coach Matt Taylor

Portsmouth FC Lineups

Starting XI

Bench

Coach John Mousinho

H2H

H2H Top Scorers

PlayerGoals
Ronan Curtis 3
Luke Thomas 2
Jonah Ayunga 2
Gareth Evans 2
Connor Ogilvie 2
Colby Bishop 2
Jonson Clarke-Harris 1
Kusini Yengi 1

Head to Head

2023-12-26 Bristol Rovers FC 2–1 Portsmouth FC 2023-08-05 Portsmouth FC 1–1 Bristol Rovers FC 2023-03-18 Bristol Rovers FC 0–2 Portsmouth FC 2022-08-20 Portsmouth FC 3–1 Bristol Rovers FC 2021-04-24 Portsmouth FC 1–0 Bristol Rovers FC

Bristol Rovers FC Form

2023-12-26 Bristol Rovers FC 2–1 Portsmouth FC W 2023-12-23 Blackpool FC 3–1 Bristol Rovers FC L 2023-12-16 Bolton Wanderers FC 1–2 Bristol Rovers FC W 2023-12-12 Crewe Alexandra FC 2–4 Bristol Rovers FC W 2023-12-09 Bristol Rovers FC 1–1 Cheltenham Town FC D 2023-11-28 Bristol Rovers FC 1–1 Leyton Orient FC D

Portsmouth FC Form

2023-12-26 Bristol Rovers FC 2–1 Portsmouth FC L 2023-12-23 Portsmouth FC 1–1 Fleetwood Town FC D 2023-12-16 Shrewsbury Town FC 0–3 Portsmouth FC W 2023-12-11 Portsmouth FC 2–0 Bolton Wanderers FC W 2023-12-02 Northampton Town FC 0–3 Portsmouth FC W 2023-11-28 Burton Albion FC 0–2 Portsmouth FC W

Predictions

Prediction accuracy
2 / 4
1.16 Bristol Rovers FC xG
Expected Goals
Dixon-Coles · Bivariate Poisson · Neg. Binomial · Elo
1.34 Portsmouth FC xG
I would bet for: Bristol Rovers FC or Portsmouth FC 71%

Match Result

✗ Wrong
Bristol Rovers FC36% Draw29% Portsmouth FC35%
Actual: Bristol Rovers FC win

Both Teams to Score

✓ Correct
Yes52% 0% No48%
Avg goals/match: 2.5
Actual: Yes — both scored

Over / Under Goals

✗ O/U 2.5
Line Over Under
± 0.5 90%
10%
± 1.5 72%
28%
± 2.5 45%
55%
± 3.5 25%
75%
± 4.5 12%
88%

Double Chance

Bristol Rovers FC or Draw
64%
Draw or Portsmouth FC
64%
Bristol Rovers FC or Portsmouth FC
71%

Half-Time Result

✓ Correct
Bristol Rovers FC23% Draw49% Portsmouth FC28%
Actual: Draw at HT

Correct Score

✓ In top 12
1 – 1
13.7%
0 – 0
10.2%
0 – 1
9.9%
1 – 0
8.4%
1 – 2
8.3%
0 – 2
7.2%
2 – 1
Actual
2 – 0
5.4%
2 – 2
4.9%
1 – 3
3.7%
0 – 3
3.2%
3 – 1
2.8%

Asian Handicap — Bristol Rovers FC

Handicap Bristol Rovers FC covers Push Portsmouth FC covers
-2.5 4% — 96%
-2 4% 9% 87%
-1.5 13% — 87%
-1 13% 18% 69%
-0.5 31% — 69%
+0.5 61% — 39%
+1 61% 21% 19%
+1.5 81% — 19%
+2 81% 12% 7%
+2.5 93% — 7%

Clean Sheet

Bristol Rovers FC keeps clean sheet
27% ✓
Portsmouth FC keeps clean sheet
32% ✓

Predictions are statistical estimates based on season form, H2H history, and a Poisson model. Not financial advice.