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

Since this article was published, this game has been called off due to a coronavirus outbreak in the Doncaster squad. A new date for the game will be confirmed in due course.

Struggling Doncaster Rovers will be looking to make it back-to-back wins in League One when they continue their campaign away to Lincoln City on Saturday afternoon.

The visitors, who beat Shrewsbury Town 1-0 last weekend, are currently 23rd in the table, while Lincoln occupy 18th, having picked up 22 points from their opening 21 matches.

Match preview

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Lincoln have won five, drawn seven and lost nine of their 21 League One matches this season to collect 22 points, which has left them in 18th spot in the table, just three points above the relegation zone.

Michael Appleton's side picked up a welcome point away to Cheltenham Town last weekend, but they were on the verge of collecting all three before Matthew Blair levelled for the hosts in the 95th minute.

Lincoln are now without a victory in League One since overcoming Wigan Athletic at the end of October, while they have been beaten in three of their last four matches at this level of football.

The Imps made the playoffs last season, ultimately losing 2-1 to Blackpool in the final, but they currently look some way short of being able to claim a top-six finish this term.

Lincoln are also winless against Doncaster in all competitions since January 2004, losing six of the last seven meetings between the two sides, including a 1-0 defeat in the corresponding clash last term.

Doncaster, meanwhile, recorded a huge 1-0 victory over Shrewsbury on Saturday, with Joseph Olowu netting the only goal of the contest in the 79th minute.

Donny have won four, drawn four and lost 13 of their 21 League One matches this season to collect 16 points, which has left them in 23rd position in the table, just one point ahead of basement side Crewe Alexandra.

The club are currently under the interim management of Gary McSheffrey, who was placed in charge following the departure of Richie Wellens after just six months in charge.

Doncaster will be hoping to use their recent strong record against Lincoln to secure another huge three points on Saturday afternoon, and a victory could potentially move them level on points with 20th-placed Shrewsbury.

Team News

Freddie Draper was back in the Lincoln lineup for last weekend's clash with Cheltenham, and it would not be a surprise to see the 17-year-old handed another start in the final third here.

Appleton was pleased with his side's performance last time out, and there have not been any fresh injury problems reported by the club, so it would not be a shock to see the same XI take to the field.

Edward Bishop scored a brace from right-back and should retain his spot, although Dan N'Lundulu for Hakeem Adelakun is a change that could potentially occur in midfield.

As for Doncaster, McSheffrey's side did not pick up any injury concerns in their one-goal victory over Shrewsbury, and the manner of the performance means that changes are unlikely.

Indeed, the visitors should again line up in a 3-4-3 formation, with Tommy Rowe operating in the middle of the attack, while Lirak Hasani should keep his spot at wing-back despite pressure from Aidan Barlow.

The fact that Rowe is Doncaster's leading goalscorer in the league this season with three is an indication of the team's problems, and McSheffrey will be hoping that the likes of Joe Dodoo and Jordie Hiwula-Mayifuila can cause Lincoln problems on Saturday.

Lincoln City possible starting lineup:
Griffiths; Bishop, Poole, Montsma, Bramall; Adelakun, Bridcutt, McGrandles; Fiorini, Draper, Maguire

Doncaster Rovers possible starting lineup:
Jones; Knoyle, Anderson, Olowu; Hasani, Smith, Galbraith, Horton; Dodoo, Rowe, Hiwula-Mayifuila

We say: Lincoln City 1-1 Doncaster Rovers

This is a very, very important match for both sides at this stage of the season, and both managers will be wary of what a defeat could mean. It would not be a surprise to see a home or indeed an away win, but we are struggling to separate the two sides and have ultimately had to settle on a low-scoring draw.

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