Bristol Rovers kick off their 2026-27 FA Cup season at home to Cambridge United in the first round on Friday. The Pirates are winless in their last seven games in all competitions, losing six as their season has gone off the rails following a strong start to the campaign.
Having been in third place in the Football League Two standings at the end of September, Bristol find themselves down in 17th place as the side have gone from competing for promotion to sitting precariously above the relegation zone in a matter of a few weeks.
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In their most recent outing, Steve Evans’ side were beaten 3-1 by Fleetwood for their eighth league defeat of the season, hardly an ideal preparation for the cup game ahead.
They have already lost in the first round of the EFL Cup this season, going down 1-0 against Peterborough United on home turf. Another first-round exit in the FA Cup would be a bitter pill to swallow for Bristol.
Cambridge United sealed a promotion to League One this year and have fared relatively well, losing only three games from their opening 14 and winning five to collect 21 points and occupy eighth position on the league table.
Although the U’s have gone their last four league matches without a win, they secured a morale-boosting 6-0 win over Brighton U-21 in the Football League Trophy on Tuesday, powered by a second-half brace from Callum Stead.
Bristol Rovers vs Cambridge United Head-To-Head and Key Numbers
- Bristol Rovers and Cambridge United have clashed 30 times in history, with the former winning 16 times; Cambridge have taken the scalp on eight occasions.
- This marks only the second FA Cup meeting between the sides. Their first cup encounter was also their first official meeting in December 1971, when Bristol beat Cambridge 3-0.
- Cambridge beat Bristol in their last game. They haven’t won consecutively in the fixture since winning three in a row between 2003 and 2004.
- Bristol have won two of their last three cup games at home against Cambridge.
Bristol Rovers vs Cambridge United Prediction
Neither side are on a good run of form right now, but Cambridge’s big win on Tuesday should give them enough motivation to see off their struggling hosts.
Prediction: Bristol Rovers 1-2 Cambridge United
Bristol Rovers vs Cambridge United Betting Tips
Tip 1 – Result: Cambridge United to win
Tip 2 – Goals over/under 2.5: Over 2.5 goals
Tip 3 – Both teams to score: Yes
Edited by Peter Pedroncelli
