On Tuesday, League Two Doncaster Rovers will welcome third-tier Wigan Athletic to the Keepmoat Stadium for an EFL Trophy last-16 tie.

The winner of the midweek contest will go on to face Bradford City at Valley Parade in a quarter-final at the end of the month.

Match preview

Doncaster head into the EFL Trophy clash off the back of a poor run of form that has seen them win one of their last eight competitive matches.

They did begin the calendar year with a 3-0 win over MK Dons, but they have gone on to lose back-to-back games against Harrogate Town and Newport County.

Rovers looked set to play out a goalless draw in Saturday's league until Newport's Seb Palmer-Houlden netted a 93rd-minute winner to condemn Doncaster to a narrow loss.

With Doncaster languishing in 20th place, their league campaign is proving to be a disappointing one, but their mood will improve if they can advance to the EFL Trophy quarter-finals for the first time since finishing runners-up in the 2006-07 season.

However, their hopes of beating Wigan will be tempered by the fact that they have lost three of their last four home matches.

Wigan are still searching for their first win of the new year after failing to pick up a victory in their first three competitive outings of 2024.

After beginning the calendar year with a 1-1 draw against Barnsley, the Latics fell to a 2-0 defeat in their home meeting with Premier League giants Manchester United in the FA Cup third round.

They went on to play out a second consecutive league draw in Saturday's clash with Northampton Town, as Wigan striker Josh Magennis scored his third goal of the League One season to level the scoreline after Sam Hoskins had netted a first-half penalty.

The Latics, who have been deducted eight points, are currently sitting in 18th place and five points above the drop zone, but they will now put their survival fight on hold, as they look to enjoy another run in the EFL Trophy following their trek to the semi-finals last season.

They will certainly fancy their chances of beating Doncaster on Tuesday, having won each of their last six competitive head-to-head meetings.

Team News

January addition Jay McGrath is expected to retain his place in the Doncaster defence after making his first appearance for the club at the weekend.

Midfielder Matthew Craig and forward Billy Waters were also given their debuts on Saturday, the pair could keep their spots in the side for Tuesday's contest.

Grant McCann could be tempted to recall Harrison Biggins after the 27-year-old dropped out of the lineup for the defeat to Newport.

As for the visitors, they are expected to be without the services of defender Tom Pearce and midfielder Scott Smith due to injury.

Having played in the club's previous three EFL Trophy games, goalkeeper Ben Amos is expected to come into the side for Sam Tickle, while there could also be starting places for Callum McManaman and Jonny Smith as Shaun Maloney looks to freshen up his side.

Matt Smith is also in contention to start after returning from a long injury layoff to play the final half hour against Northampton.

Doncaster Rovers possible starting lineup:
Jones; Nixon, Bailey, McGrath, Rowe; Biggins, Close, Craig; Molyneux, Waters, Ironside

Wigan Athletic possible starting lineup:
Amos; Clare, Hughes, Morrison, Sessegnon; M. Smith, Adeeko; J. Smith, McManaman, Jones; Magennis

We say: Doncaster Rovers 1-2 Wigan Athletic

Although both teams have found wins hard to come by in recent times, Wigan have won each of their last six games against Doncaster, and will think that they will edge out their Yorkshire opponents to extend that impressive head-to-head record.

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