Match File ... a focus on Rotherham United's next opponents, Bristol Rovers
The Millers are on the road this weekend
Rotherham United will run into an old boy and an old boss when they head to Bristol Rovers on Saturday.
In the home line-up for the League Two clash is likely to be midfielder Richie Smallwood who made 133 appearances for the Millers between 2014 and 2017.
Now aged 35, he scored one of the goals in the 2014 play-off final penalty shoot-out at Wembley against Leyton Orient that saw Rotherham promoted to the Championship.
Smallwood, who is is approaching 600 career appearances, moved to the Memorial Ground earlier this year following his departure from Tranmere Rovers.
In charge of Rovers is former Millers manager Steve Evans who will be coming up against his previous club for the first time since leaving them in March 2025.
One to watch
Swiss forward Fabrizio Cavegn has already been among the goals for Rovers this season, bagging a double in the 5-3 win over Newport County on August 22. The Gas signed him in the summer of 2025 from Vaduz and he hit the back of the net 15 times in 52 appearances in his first campaign at the Memorial Ground on his way to be being named Player of the Year and Supporters Club Young Player of the Year. Now aged 24, He has represented Switzerland at under-21 level.
Form guide
Rovers: LLWDWW
Rovers drew 2-2 with Chelsea U-21s in the EFL Trophy at the Memorial Ground before losing a penalty shoot-out, then triumphed 2-0 at Crawley Town last Saturday and recorded a 2-0 home success over Colchester United on Tuesday in the league.
Millers: LLDWD
In 62 matches between the clubs since 1953, the Millers have 23 wins and Rovers 24.
Past meetings
Mar 1 2025, League One: Rovers 2 Millers 3
Sam Nombe 2, Zak Jules
Aug 17 2024, League One: Millers 0 Rovers 0
Jan 18 2020, League One: Millers 3 Rovers 0
Kyle Vassell, Michael Smith, Chiedozie Ogbene
Sep 28 2019, League One: Rovers 1 Millers 0
Feb 19 2013, League Two: Rovers 1 Millers 2
Kayode Odejayi, Lee Frecklington
Jan 26 2013, League Two: Millers 1 Rovers 3
David Noble
Last clash
A last-minute goal by Sam Nombe secured a 3-2 win at the Memorial Ground in March 2025 for Rotherham who were managed at the time by Steve Evans. Aston Villa youngster Lino Sousa, who had a loan spell at AESSEAL New York Stadium last season, was in the Rovers side along with two Millers old boys, Grant Ward and Jack Hunt.
Opposition boss
Rovers boss Steve Evans is very well known by Rotherham fans after his two stints managing the club. He led the Millers from League Two to the Championship with successive promotions more than a decade ago, but fared less well in his second reign which lasted less than a year. He promised to have his side contending for a climb out of the third tier, but that never materialised and he was let go in March 2025. He joined Rovers in December last season when they were fearing the drop to the National League and sparked a revival that saw them finish in a mid-table place.
Man in the middle
Darren Drysdale is an experienced official who has spent more than 20 years on the EFL list. Born in Lincolnshire and now well into his 50s, he is a sergeant in the RAF at Waddington. He has risen as high as the Championship as a referee and been an assistant ref in the Premier League. Saturday is his first appointment of the season. The last time he took charge of the Millers was in December 2025 when they won 7-2 at Salford City in the Vertu Trophy.
The odds
The bookmakers are fancying a Rovers win, offering a home triumph at 4/6 and a Millers victory at 10/3. A draw is 27/10.