Preview: Rotherham United vs. Cheltenham Town - prediction, team news, lineups

After losing last weekend, Rotherham United will look to get their promotion bid back on track when they welcome Cheltenham Town to the New York Stadium on Saturday.

The visitors, who sit in 14th place in League One, are aiming to end a nine-game winless run across all competitions.

Match preview

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Rotherham's promotion charge has slowed in recent weeks, with the Millers falling to defeat in two of their last three league encounters.

Spirits may be low in the home dressing room after they conceded a late goal last weekend, with Fleetwood Town's Anthony Pilkington scoring in the fifth minute of stoppage time to condemn Rotherham to a 1-0 defeat.

That result ensured that Paul Warne's side have now lost consecutive away league games in a row so the Millers will be grateful to return to home surroundings this weekend.

Having not lost at home since September, Rotherham will be aiming to extend their unbeaten home record to 15 matches in all competitions on Saturday.

Impressively, they have won their last five league matches at the New York Stadium, with the Millers scoring 18 goals in that period.

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The task of restricting Rotherham's firepower falls to Cheltenham, who have collected just five points from their last eight league matches.

Despite failing to win any of their previous eight league games, the Robins are unbeaten in their last three encounters after experiencing a run of three consecutive 1-1 draws.

The latest of those draws occurred against Charlton Athletic last weekend, with Michael Duff's side denied a victory in dramatic circumstances when Chuks Aneke equalised in the fourth minute of stoppage time to cancel out Dan N'Lundulu's opener.

After missing out on three points, the Robins will have to pick themselves up for a tough away trip, especially as two away league wins suggest that Cheltenham struggle on their travels.

Having kept just one clean sheet in their 12 away league matches, Duff will know that he needs a strong performance from his backline if his side are to achieve a positive result on Saturday.

Team News

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The Millers have no new injury concerns ahead of Saturday's contest.

Josh Vickers has started Rotherham's last three competitive matches, and the goalkeeper is expected to keep his place in the side.

Michael Smith has scored 14 league goals this season, and he will look to add to that tally when he starts up front on Saturday.

As for the visitors, they have brought Kion Etete in on loan, while Charlie Colkett has joined on a permanent deal until the end of the season, and both players could feature among the substitutes at the weekend.

Following the draw last weekend, Duff may name an unchanged side.

That would see Alfie May start after he signed a new deal to remain with the Robins until 2024, and he will begin Saturday's fixture upfront alongside N'Lundulu.

Rotherham United possible starting lineup:
Vickers; Edmonds-Green, Wood, Ihiekwe; Ogbene, Barlaser, Wiles, Rathbone, Ferguson; Grigg, Smith

Cheltenham Town possible starting lineup:
Evans; Long, Pollock, Boyle; Blair, Thomas, Wright, Sercombe, Freestone; N'Lundulu, May

We say: Rotherham United 3-1 Cheltenham Town

The Millers usually fare well on home turf, and we do not see that changing at the weekend when they come up against a Cheltenham side that are struggling to pick up wins.

Rotherham have found the net with ease at home in recent times, and we think that they will be among the goals once again on Saturday.

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