SM
Bayern vs. Real Madrid: 19 hrs 27 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data
DR
League One | Gameweek 38
Mar 12, 2022 at 3pm UK
The Keepmoat Stadium
G

Doncaster
0 - 1
Gillingham


Galbraith (90+7')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Kelman (1')

Preview: Doncaster Rovers vs. Gillingham - prediction, team news, lineups

:Headline: Preview: Doncaster Rovers vs. Gillingham - prediction, team news, lineups:
Sports Mole previews Saturday's League One clash between Doncaster Rovers and Gillingham, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Sports Mole

A crucial battle at the bottom end of the League One table will take place at the Keepmoat Stadium on Saturday, as Doncaster Rovers entertain Gillingham.

The two sides currently sit 23rd and 22nd, four and three points adrift of safety respectively.


Match preview

Following a poor first half to the season, Doncaster Rovers' hopes of survival in League One looked all but gone, but they have kept themselves in the fight recently.

With a run of seven games producing 10 points in February, Gary McSheffrey's side were able to jump off the foot of the division, as they picked up impressive wins over Sunderland, Lincoln City and Accrington Stanley.

Last month culminated in a slightly disappointing 2-2 draw with fellow strugglers AFC Wimbledon, before the Reds' chance of survival took a major hit last weekend as they were thrashed 4-0 by Cheltenham Town.

An Alfie May brace and goals from Ben Williams and Mattie Pollock condemned McSheffrey's side to a demoralising defeat, leaving them four points adrift in a division from which four sides are relegated every season.

With just nine league games left to play, the Yorkshire outfit will know that they cannot rest on their improved recent form if they are to stand a chance of avoiding the drop and must continue to pick up victories in the final run of the campaign, starting with Saturday's crucial clash against a rival in that battle.

The visitors find themselves in a similar position, as the Gills have a three-point gap to bridge.

A poor run since late October saw Saturday's visitors dragged deep into the relegation scrap, although they looked to have improved with victories over Crewe Alexandra, Cambridge United and Lincoln City across a seven-game span in February following the appointment of Neil Harris.

That most recent win was followed by a harmful loss of their own last time out, as the Priestfield outfit were thrashed 3-0 by Bolton Wanderers courtesy of goals from Aaron Morley, Declan John and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson.

As a result, the Gills remain three points adrift of safety with 10 games left to play, making Saturday's meeting a true six-pointer as both teams look to crawl closer to safety.

Doncaster Rovers League One form:
  • L
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • D
  • L

Gillingham League One form:
  • W
  • D
  • L
  • D
  • W
  • L

Team News

Doncaster Rovers will be without experienced midfielder Adam Clayton, who is suspended for the weekend's game after he was sent off in their defeat to Cheltenham.

In his absence, Ethan Galbraith could return to the starting XI as a midfield anchor alongside Matthew Smith and Danny Gardner.

Attackers Kieran Agard, Joe Dodoo and Reo Griffiths will all be challenging for starts, while Norwich City loanee Josh Martin is likely to keep his place on the left-hand side of a front three.

Gillingham have a suspension of their own to deal with, after midfielder Daniel Phillips was shown a red card last time out.

Despite suffering a 3-0 defeat, the back three of Max Ehmer, Jack Tucker and Conor Masterson should remain untouched, while Vadaine Oliver will likely continue to lead the line, having hit seven league goals so far this term.

Doncaster Rovers possible starting lineup:
Mitchell; Knoyle, Williams, Olowu, Jackson; Smith, Galbraith, Gardner; Rowe, Dodoo, Martin

Gillingham possible starting lineup:
Chapman; Ehmer, Masterson, Tucker; Jackson, O'Keefe, Reeves, McKenzie; Carayol, Oliver, Thompson


We say: Doncaster Rovers 2-1 Gillingham

Given the major importance of the meeting in the battle for survival, we expect this to be a cagey affair and just give the edge to the hosts.

McSheffrey's side have looked far more competent recently, and, if they are able to lift the mood in the camp after a heavy defeat, they could have enough to secure all three points with home advantage.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data




body check tags ::

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


amp_article__480388 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2022-03-10 21:17:48:
html db last update - 2022-03-10 20:32:05 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Read more!
Share this article now:


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
Saturday's League One predictions including Sunderland vs. MK Dons
Man Utd 'open to offers for entire squad except for three players'
What is treble bet?: A guide to sports betting in 2024
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CStockport CountyStockport462711896484892
4MK Dons462391483681578
5Doncaster RoversDoncaster46218177368571
6Crewe AlexandraCrewe461914136965471
7Crawley TownCrawley46217187367670
8BarrowBarrow461815136256669
9Bradford CityBradford461912156159269
10AFC Wimbledon4617141564511365
11Walsall461811176973-465
12Gillingham461810184657-1164
13Harrogate TownHarrogate461712176069-963
14Notts County46187218986361
15Morecambe461710196781-1458
16Tranmere RoversTranmere46176236770-357
17Accrington StanleyAccrington46169216371-857
18Newport CountyNewport46167236276-1455
19Swindon TownSwindon461412207783-654
20Salford City461312216682-1651
21Grimsby Town461116195774-1749
22Colchester UnitedColchester461112235980-2145
RSutton UnitedSutton46915225984-2542
RForest Green RoversForest Green46119264478-3442
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Man Utd 'open to offers for entire squad except for three players'

NEW

1

MU

This weekend's permutations: Who can be crowned champions, win promotion or suffer relegation?

2

TW

Picture Spoilers: Next week on EastEnders (May 6-9)

NEW

3

PS

Juventus, Roma 'to battle for 20-year-old Arsenal midfielder'

4

JR

Lewandowski nets hat-trick to fire Barcelona past 10-man Valencia

5

LN

Man United 'consider signing goalkeeper to compete with Onana'

6

MU

Madrid Open highlights: Nadal advances as Norrie knocked out

7

MO

Fulham 'considering move for Galatasaray forward'

8

F'

Ex-Arsenal, Man Utd man 'to become free agent at end of season'

9

EM

MotoGP and F1: Not likely to share race weekend, says circuit boss

10

MA


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .