Sunday afternoon will see Bristol Rovers and Peterborough United meet for the 45th time in the league and the visitors to The Mem definitely have the upper hand in the previous 44 matches between the sides.
Peterborough have 18 wins to their name, while Rovers have only 10 whilst the remaining 16 games have finished all square. In terms of goals, Peterborough have scored 76 and Rovers 59.
The first league meetings between the clubs took place in 1962/63 when Rovers were 3-1 winners at Eastville while Peterborough came out on top in the return fixture, winning 1-0 at London Road.
The Posh did the double against Rovers last season, winning both fixtures 2-0 and they also ran out 3-2 winners when the sides met at London Road this season.
Former Rovers assistant manager John Still was Peterborough’s manager from August 1994 until October 1995 and the number of players who have turned out for both clubs is approaching 40 (I make it 38 at present).
Among that total are Bradley Allen, Ryan Broom, Jonson Clarke-Harris, Mark McKeever, Tom Nichols, Graham Ricketts, Michael Smith and Worrell Sterling.
Among the players who have made their Rovers league debut against Peterborough are; John Brown, Ryan Green, Matt Lockwood, Chris Martin, Lee Martin, Sam Matthews, Steve Phillips, Gavin Reilly, Alex Rodman, Andy Sandell and Ed Upson.
Both sides were in action on Tuesday evening, with Peterborough beating Wigan 1-0 at London Road thanks to Mahamadou Susoho’s first goal for the club saw them clinch a first win in nine games.
Rovers, of course, were beaten 2-0 by Charlton Athletic at The Valley, which leaves them in 19th place in the league standings with 28 points from their 27 games. Peterborough are one place and two points better off having played one game more.
At the time of writing Peterborough had made two signings in the January transfer window, in Sam Hughes, on loan from Stockport County, and Tayo Edun on loan from Charlton.
Matt Butcher, the second of Rovers January signings, after Romaine Sawyers, is in line for his Gas debut and we wish him every success during his loan spell, from Wycombe Wanderers, with us.
The last Rovers player to make his league debut against Peterborough was Chris Martin, who became the 1001st player to appear for Rovers in the league when he
was in the side beaten 2-0 at London Road on 30th September 2023. Tomorrow, Butcher could become the 1,022nd; if he is then hopefully, he will be on the winning side!