Sunderland AFC vs Bristol Rovers FC, League One 2018-19 REGULAR SEASON
Overview
Match Preview
Sunderland AFC vs Bristol Rovers FC — League One at Stadium of Light.
- Sunderland AFC 0 games · 0 pts (2026/27)
- Bristol Rovers FC 0 games · 0 pts (2026/27)
Match Details
- Referee Thomas Bramall
- Referee Barry Cropp
- Referee Alan Clayton
- Referee Robert Atkin
Standings
| # | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lincoln City FC | 46 | 103 |
| 2 | Cardiff City FC | 46 | 91 |
| 3 | Stockport County FC | 46 | 77 |
| 4 | Bradford City AFC | 46 | 77 |
| 5 | Bolton Wanderers FC | 46 | 75 |
| 6 | Stevenage FC | 46 | 75 |
| 7 | Luton Town FC | 46 | 74 |
| 8 | Plymouth Argyle FC | 46 | 73 |
| 9 | Huddersfield Town AFC | 46 | 67 |
| 10 | Mansfield Town FC | 46 | 65 |
| 11 | Wycombe Wanderers FC | 46 | 63 |
| 12 | Reading FC | 46 | 63 |
| 13 | Blackpool FC | 46 | 60 |
| 14 | Doncaster Rovers FC | 46 | 60 |
| 15 | Barnsley FC | 46 | 59 |
| 16 | Wigan Athletic FC | 46 | 56 |
| 17 | Burton Albion FC | 46 | 54 |
| 18 | Peterborough United FC | 46 | 53 |
| 19 | AFC Wimbledon | 46 | 53 |
| 20 | Leyton Orient FC | 46 | 52 |
| 21 | Exeter City FC | 46 | 49 |
| 22 | Port Vale FC | 46 | 42 |
| 23 | Rotherham United FC | 46 | 41 |
| 24 | Northampton Town FC | 46 | 35 |
Head-to-Head
Last 5 meetings
Recent Form
| Date | Opponent | H/A | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Dec | Bristol Rovers FC | H | 2–1 | W |
| 11 Dec | Walsall FC | H | 0–1 | L |
| 01 Dec | Walsall FC | A | 1–1 | D |
| 27 Nov | Barnsley FC | H | 4–2 | W |
| 24 Nov | Walsall FC | A | 2–2 | D |
| 17 Nov | Wycombe Wanderers FC | H | 1–1 | D |
| Date | Opponent | H/A | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Dec | Sunderland AFC | A | 1–2 | L |
| 08 Dec | Doncaster Rovers FC | H | 0–4 | L |
| 27 Nov | Gillingham FC | H | 1–2 | L |
| 24 Nov | Charlton Athletic FC | A | 1–3 | L |
| 21 Nov | Barnet FC | H | 1–2 | L |
| 17 Nov | Scunthorpe United FC | H | 1–2 | L |
Key Stats
33%
Both Teams to Score
H2H (6 games)
H2H (6 games)
33%
Over 2.5 Goals
H2H history
H2H history
Events
Match Events
- 0' That's the starting whistle at Stadium of Light. Ninety minutes of football awaits between Sunderland AFC and Bristol Rovers FC.
- 5' Tony Craig is putting in a real shift tonight. He has covered more ground than anyone else for Bristol Rovers FC so far.
- 10' England international Tom Nichols has been a key figure this campaign — 0 goals and 0 assists in the Array this season.
- 11' Magnificent from Alex Rodman! That is 8 goals in 291 appearances — and it could not have come at a better time.
- 16' Sunderland AFC are enjoying more possession but struggling to find a way through a disciplined Bristol Rovers FC backline.
- 21' While players are taking a pause, let’s have a look at their stats. The teams met 0 times this season with winning -% of all matches.
- 26' Bristol Rovers FC started playing very sharply right from the kick off. However, it slowed down the tempo rapidly by 26.
- 31' A tactical chess match is unfolding here. The question is which manager blinks first.
- 36' The referee does not hesitate — a Yellow card for Edward Upson on 36 minutes.
- 41' Not even hints on scoring a goal over the last 41 minutes.
- 45' What a moment for Adam Matthews! That strike on 45 puts his side firmly in control.
- 46' Adam Matthews doubles the advantage! 2-1 and this game is slipping away from the opposition.
- 49' Against the run of play, Josh Maja has scored! This game has turned on its head.
- 54' Sunderland AFC is showing some good football. However, Sunderland AFC are ready to play back every minute. It might result in some problems for the home side. The game will hardly remain goalless.
- 57' Sunderland AFC player sees a Yellow card in front of him.
- 62' It’s high time Jack Ross made some changes to put the his team’s game back to action.
- 63' The Bristol Rovers FC manager makes a substitution. Liam Sercombe departs to be replaced by Kyle Bennett.
- 67' The Bristol Rovers FC bench stirs into life. Tareiq Holmes-Dennis is withdrawn and Tom Nichols gets his opportunity.
- 72' It looks like no one’s ball. Bristol Rovers FC is used to counterattacking playing. None of the sides are ready to take the lead.
- 75' Chris Maguire is replacing Josh Maja for the Sunderland AFC side.
- 76' Time for substitution for Bristol Rovers FC. Alex Rodman is replaced by Stefan Payne.
- 81' The 34-year-old Stefan Payne has been sensational this season — 0 goals and 0 assists is a remarkable return.
- 83' Sunderland AFC player sees a Yellow card in front of him.
- 84' The referee calls foul for Michael Kelly. He receives a Yellow card.
- 84' Time for substitution for Sunderland AFC. Lynden Gooch is replaced by Duncan Watmore.
- 89' Although teams showed high tempo form the start, they seem to slow down a bit. Both sides really need to catch a fire. Otherwise, we have another goalless match.
- 90' A meaty challenge results in booking for Adam Matthews on 90.
- It finishes all square. Sunderland AFC and Bristol Rovers FC share the spoils 2-1.
Lineups
Sunderland AFC Lineups
Starting XI
- 3
- 2
- 6
- 10
-
11
Lynden Gooch ↓ Duncan Watmore 84'
- 19
-
20
Josh Maja ↓ Chris Maguire 75'
- –
- 27
- 15
- 4
-
1
Jon McLaughlin ↓ Robbin Ruiter 76'
Bench
-
25
Robbin Ruiter ↑ 76'
-
14
Duncan Watmore ↑ 84'
-
7
Chris Maguire ↑ 75'
- 13
- 17
- 5
- 8
Coach
Jack Ross
Bristol Rovers FC Lineups
Starting XI
- 3
- 4
- 15
- 5
- 28
- 8
-
7
Liam Sercombe ↓ Kyle Bennett 63'
-
33
Alex Rodman ↓ Stefan Payne 76'
- 13
- 6
- 17
Bench
- 21
- 2
- 16
- 32
-
23
Kyle Bennett ↑ 63'
-
10
Tom Nichols ↑ 67'
-
9
Stefan Payne ↑ 76'
Coach
Darrell Clarke
H2H
H2H Top Scorers
| Player | Goals |
|---|---|
| Luke O'Nien | 2 |
| Jonson Clarke-Harris | 2 |
| Lynden Gooch | 1 |
| Charlie Wyke | 1 |
| Chris Maguire | 1 |
| Luke Leahy | 1 |
| Aiden O'Brien | 1 |
| Adam Matthews | 1 |
Head to Head
Sunderland AFC Form
Bristol Rovers FC Form
2018-12-15
Sunderland AFC
2–1
Bristol Rovers FC
L
2018-12-08
Bristol Rovers FC
0–4
Doncaster Rovers FC
L
2018-11-27
Bristol Rovers FC
1–2
Gillingham FC
L
2018-11-24
Charlton Athletic FC
3–1
Bristol Rovers FC
L
2018-11-21
Bristol Rovers FC
1–2
Barnet FC
L
2018-11-17
Bristol Rovers FC
1–2
Scunthorpe United FC
L
Predictions
Prediction accuracy
4 / 4
1.7
Sunderland AFC xG
Expected Goals
Dixon-Coles · Bivariate Poisson · Neg. Binomial · Elo
1.08
Bristol Rovers FC xG
I would bet for:
Markets are evenly balanced — no clear value pick.
Match Result
✓ CorrectActual: Sunderland AFC win
Both Teams to Score
✓ Correct
Avg goals/match: 2.78
Actual: Yes — both scored
Over / Under Goals
✓ O/U 2.5| Line | Over | Under | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ± 0.5 | 92% |
|
8% |
| ± 1.5 | 77% |
|
23% |
| ± 2.5 | 52% |
|
48% |
| ± 3.5 | 31% |
|
69% |
| ± 4.5 | 16% |
|
84% |
Double Chance
Sunderland AFC or Draw
79%
Draw or Bristol Rovers FC
46%
Sunderland AFC or Bristol Rovers FC
75%
Half-Time Result
✓ CorrectActual: Draw at HT
Correct Score
✓ In top 12
1 – 1
12.3%
1 – 0
9.7%
2 – 1
Actual
2 – 0
8.8%
0 – 0
8.1%
1 – 2
5.9%
0 – 1
5.8%
3 – 1
5.3%
2 – 2
5.1%
3 – 0
4.9%
0 – 2
3.6%
3 – 2
3%
Asian Handicap — Sunderland AFC
| Handicap | Sunderland AFC covers | Push | Bristol Rovers FC covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| -2.5 | 12% | — | 88% |
| -2 | 12% | 16% | 72% |
| -1.5 | 28% | — | 72% |
| -1 | 28% | 23% | 50% |
| -0.5 | 50% | — | 50% |
| +0.5 | 77% | — | 23% |
| +1 | 77% | 14% | 9% |
| +1.5 | 91% | — | 9% |
| +2 | 91% | 6% | 3% |
| +2.5 | 97% | — | 3% |
Clean Sheet
Sunderland AFC keeps clean sheet
35%
✓
Bristol Rovers FC keeps clean sheet
19%
✓
Predictions are statistical estimates based on season form, H2H history, and a Poisson model. Not financial advice.