Out-of-form Doncaster Rovers return to League Two action on New Year's Day, keen to get the better of Fleetwood Town in the gameweek 24 clash at the Eco-Power Stadium.
Rovers, third in the standings at the time of writing, could be displaced from the top seven spots altogether if they lose, but they hope to avoid that outcome against an opponent that finished 2024 strongly — claiming four points from six to close out the year under new boss Pete Wild.
Match preview
© Imago
Despite winning one League Two fixture in six, Doncaster Rovers have somehow kept their place in the automatic promotion places in the fourth tier.
However, another winless match to start 2025 could have negative consequences for the third-placed Rovers, who are level on points with Notts County in second (37), and Port Vale and Grimsby Town in fourth and fifth respectively, with Crewe Alexandra and Salford City one point adrift.
Even the trio of AFC Wimbledon, Chesterfield and Bradford City in eighth, ninth and 10th respectively have 34 points heading into the New Year, highlighting the tightness of the table from second to 10th.
Thus, the situation places pressure on Grant McCann's men to secure maximum points for the first time since December 21, as they are keen to hold on to their automatic promotion spot.
Avoiding defeat means the South Yorkshire club will remain in the coveted top seven spots, even if McCann's troops could create slight separation by claiming all three points, which they aim to do, to claim consecutive victories in front of their supporters.
© Imago
Standing in their way are Fleetwood, who were beneficiaries of ending 2024 with back-to-back home fixtures against Chesterfield and Harrogate Town.
Accruing four points from those matches took last year's relegated League One side to 27 points from 21 games, leaving them nine points clear of the dreaded zone with a significantly superior goal difference.
However, the Cod Army are nine points adrift of a coveted top-seven place, leaving the Fishermen neither here nor there in the division unless they string positive results together.
If the opening two fixtures under Wild are an indicator of anything, the Lancashire outfit are seemingly trending upwards heading into 2025, although they must show ample expertise on their travels to improve on a winless four-match run on the road (three losses) to claim maximum points away from home for the first time since the start of October, when they beat Walsall 6-2.
Fleetwood have managed two goals since that triumph three months ago and have conceded eight in that period, highlighting their issues in both boxes on the road.
Team News
© Imago
While Rovers suffered no evident injury problems in the 1-1 draw at Colchester United, Jordan Gibson's dismissal forces McCann into a mandatory change on the left flank; Owen Bailey is available despite picking up his fifth yellow card this term, having already crossed the 19-game cut-off point for suspensions.
Without four-goal man Gibson, the hosts hope Luke Molyneux (seven goals) and Billy Sharp will add to their goalscoring tallies in midweek.
Danny Mayor avoids a suspension for Fleetwood, with the league past its 19th round; however, Zech Medley (Achilles) misses out for the away side due to injury.
Ronan Coughlan and Ryan Graydon have eight goal contributions apiece, and the forwards should start up front for the visitors from Lancashire in gameweek 24.
Doncaster Rovers possible starting lineup:
Sharman-Lowe; Sterry, Olowu, McGrath, Maxwell; Bailey, Broadbent; Molyneux, Clifton, Hurst; Sharp
Fleetwood Town possible starting lineup:
Lynch; Sarpong-Wiredu, Bolton, Potter; Bonds; Johnston, Virtue-Thick, Mayor, Patterson; Graydon, Coughlan
We say: Doncaster Rovers 1-1 Fleetwood Town
Doncaster have won just one of their previous seven matches on home soil, while Fleetwood have failed to win on the road since October 1.
Given that precedent and the seeming bounce after Wild's appointment in Lancashire, the spoils could be shared in South Yorkshire on New Year's Day.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
