The Big Match Preview: - Doncaster Rovers (A)
Pre-Season expectation
Relegated in agonising fashion on the final day of last season, Rovers will have been hoping for an immediate return to the Championship. After four consecutive seasons in the second tier, Doncaster were relegated to League One in 2011-12, finishing 12 points adrift of safety. A title winning campaign in the 2012-13 season marked a return to the second tier but following immediate relegation, the club would have been hoping for at least a place in the play-offs.
Last Time Out:
Coventry City 1-3 Doncaster Rovers – 21/03/15 at Ricoh Arena
Scorers: Wellens (50), Clarke-Harris (72), Forrester (84)
Line-Up: Bywater, Wabara, McCullough, Butler, Stevens, Furman, Wellens, Razak – Y (Forrester 23), Bennett, Tyson (Clarke-Harris 61 – Y), Main (Robinson 90)
Current League Position
Doncaster are 11th in the league going into the Easter fixture schedule; currently a point behind the Bantams and 4 off the play-off places, it is still as tight as ever and their aim will be to reach the play-offs.
Team News:
Doncaster Rovers
Abdul Razak was substituted early in Rovers’ win at Coventry City and Harry Forrester may come in to start ahead of the former Manchester City starlet. Jonson Clarke-Harris scored three goals against City last season whilst at Oldham Athletic and he may also come in for a start. Theo Robinson has since joined Scunthorpe United on loan, so is out of contention.
Bradford City
Andrew Davies will be out of action after picking up a hamstring injury in last weekend’s home fixture against Oldham Athletic. Jak Alnwick failed to make the squad for Tuesday night’s defeat to Chesterfield with a wrist injury while Andy Halliday is also a doubt with a hamstring problem. Filipe Morais is back in contention, however, after missing the last three games through suspension.
Last Meetings with Doncaster Rovers:
Our last meeting with Doncaster was at the Coral Windows Stadium back in November. Jon Stead curled in a superb shot from 20 yards into the top corner to give City a lead on the stroke of half time. Reece Wabara scrambled the ball in from close range from Liam Wakefield’s cross to equalise just before the hour and a slip from Alan Sheehan allowed Curtis Main a shooting opportunity, and he smashed a half volley past Jordan Pickford from just inside the area.
Doncaster Rovers’ Recent Form
21/03/15 | Coventry City 1-3 Bradford City | League One | W
17/03/15 | Doncaster Rovers 1-2 Swindon Town | League One | L
14/03/15 | Doncaster Rovers 0-2 Peterborough United | League One | L
07/03/15 | Gillingham 1-1 Doncaster Rovers | League One | D
03/03/15 | Preston North End 2-2 Doncaster Rovers | League One | D
Key Man
Curtis Main
The club’s top scorer with 10 goals, the former Middlesbrough youngster scored the winner for Rovers at the Coral Windows Stadium back in November. The 22 year old began his career with Darlington after coming through the club’s youth system before a move to Middlesbrough in 2011. He made 45 league appearances (6 goals) during a three year stay and following a loan spell at Shrewsbury Town last season, he moved to newly relegated Doncaster Rovers in the summer. A powerful presence up top, with a turn of pace, Curtis has been the Main man for his club this season.
Ref Watch – Graham Salisbury
Lancashire referee Graham Salisbury has refereed 29 games this season and has dished out 112 yellow cards and 6 red cards, that’s’ an average of 3.86 yellow cards per game and 0.2 red cards per game.
Betting Odds
Despite defeat in their last two home matches, Doncaster go into this one as favourites for the victory according to the Football League’s official betting partner skybet.com
£10 on a City win would double your money, should the Bantams come out on top.
Doncaster Rovers - 5/4
Draws – 9/4
Bradford – 2/1