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Sports Mole previews Friday's League Two clash between Bristol Rovers and Salford City, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

A key battle in the race for promotion in the League Two table will take place on Friday, as Bristol Rovers host Salford City.

Only two places currently split the two teams with the hosts two points better off in sixth place.

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Match preview

Bristol Rovers gave their playoff hopes a huge boost in a run of games between mid-February and mid-March, collecting eight wins and 25 points from 10 fixtures to climb into the playoff places.

That run culminated in four straight wins, as Joey Barton's side firstly toppled Crawley Town and Harrogate Town before seeing out hard-fought 1-0 victories over Colchester United and Northampton Town.

After a narrow defeat to Carlisle United stopped the run from growing, the Gas were quickly able to make a return to winning ways, coming from behind to beat Bradford City 2-1 on home turf thanks to second-half goals from Sam Finley and Connor Taylor, before taking a point away at Tranmere Rovers last time out.

Kane Hemmings put their hosts ahead soon after the break, but Elliot Anderson quickly levelled the game to ensure his side kept a small lead over the chasing pack.

With that gap between themselves and Friday's opponents now standing at two points, Barton's men will know they must make a return to winning ways to help secure their place in the playoffs at the end of the campaign, given their opponents would leapfrog them with a victory.

Salford City make the trip having also boosted their position in a hotly-contested playoff race recently, with the Ammies going 11 games unbeaten over the entirety of February and March.

In that time, Gary Bowyer's men took 25 points and earned seven victories, four of which came consecutively at the end of the run as they saw off Walsall, Crawley Town and Hartlepool United after thrashing Scunthorpe United.

That streak was eventually put to an end by a narrow defeat to third-placed Port Vale, but the Greater Manchester side were able to make an instant return to winning ways at the weekend.

Bowyer's men hosted Harrogate Town, and a Matt Smith brace in the last 20 minutes ensured they came away with a 2-0 victory, moving within one point of the playoff places and two points behind Friday's hosts as a result.

Now knowing that a win would see them move into the top seven for the first time this season, with four games left to play, the Ammies will aim to build another winning run heading into the end of the campaign.

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Team News

Despite competition from experienced forward Leon Clarke, Aaron Collins should continue to lead the Bristol Rovers attack, having netted 11 goals in 40 League One appearances this term.

Anthony Evans, who has contributed eight goals and eight assists from midfield, is out injured, leaving Paul Coutts to command the central unit alongside Elliot Anderson.

Salford's front line will be spearheaded by new arrival Matt Smith, who has already netted six goals since his January move from Millwall, including the match-winning brace at the weekend.

He should again be flanked by star man Brandon Thomas-Asante, who has 10 goals to his name in 34 league appearances this term, while winger Ashley Hunter, experienced forward Ian Henderson and goalscoring midfielder Matthew Lund will all be vying to come into the starting XI.

Further back, Bowyer has no reason to change the back four of Jason Lowe, Theo Vassell, Corrie Ndaba and Ibou Touray after a strong display at the weekend.

Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:
Belshaw; Hoole, Taylor, Connolly, Clarke; E Anderson, Coutts, Finley; H Anderson, Collins, Nicholson

Salford City possible starting lineup:
King; Lowe, Vassell, Ndaba, Touray; Kelly, Lund, Watson; Thomas-Asante, Smith, Hunter

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We say: Bristol Rovers 1-1 Salford City

Given both teams are full of confidence from their positive runs, Friday's game is a tough one to call, and we see a share of the spoils being the most likely outcome.

With only four games left to play after this weekend, both teams will know the consequences of a defeat in the race for the playoffs and should play in quite a reserved manner to at least take a point as a result.

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