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

Three days after locking horns in the FA Cup, Scunthorpe United and Doncaster Rovers prepare for battle in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday.

The visitors prevailed 1-0 during Saturday's first-round clash, while Scunthorpe are aiming to recover from two successive EFL Trophy defeats in midweek.

Match preview

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A frenetic first half saw two players leave the field injured and Scunthorpe striker Ryan Loft turn into his own net against Doncaster, with the 24-year-old's unfortunate moment the only thing that would separate the two sides in the FA Cup.

That result represented a seventh defeat from nine in all tournaments for Keith Hill's side - who continue to struggle for results and performances in League Two - while their EFL Trophy form also leaves a lot to be desired.

After going down 3-0 to Manchester City's academy products back in August, Scunthorpe suffered a demoralising 4-1 defeat to Rotherham United last month - a pair of results which see them occupy last place in Northern Section Group E as things stand.

It is still mathematically possible for the hosts to book their place in the next round - although they would need to win and post a four-goal swing in their favour in the process - but Hill will surely prioritise his side's League Two fortunes as they attempt to rise off the foot of the rankings.

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With international call-ups preventing Doncaster's League One battle with Fleetwood Town going ahead as scheduled next week, the visitors can afford to go strong in their bid for back-to-back wins over Scunthorpe.

Richie Wellens's side were also taught a footballing lesson on the opening matchday of the EFL Trophy by Rotherham - who put six unanswered goals past them - but they responded in perfect fashion against Man City's Under-21s.

Up-and-coming talent Sam Edozie took just eight minutes to break the deadlock for the Manchester club before Joe Dodoo's brace put Doncaster right into contention for a second-placed finish, which they will secure with at least a point on Tuesday night.

The visitors' FA Cup success over Scunthorpe on Saturday saw them stretch their unbeaten run in this fixture to seven matches in all competitions, and their most recent EFL Trophy meeting saw Doncaster prevail 4-3 in a tense penalty shootout.

Team News

Scunthorpe saw attacker Harry Bunn taken off injured after 22 minutes of the FA Cup defeat to Doncaster, which could give Miles Hippolyte an opportunity to showcase his skills on the left.

Coventry City loanee Tom Billson also remains on the sidelines for the hosts, who could introduce Alex Perry and Aaron Jarvis to the first XI as Hill prioritises league action.

Meanwhile, Doncaster lost both Joseph Olowu and Aidan Barlow - who was brought on as a half-time substitute - to injuries in the FA Cup, while John Bostock and Tiago Cukur also had to be forced off in that win.

Barlow and Bostock are both set to miss out with ankle and groin issues sustained in that game, with Cukur, Ethan Galbraith and Pontus Dahlberg all due to go away for international commitments.

The visitors also remain without Fejiri Okenabirhie, Jon Taylor, Cameron John and Ben Close for the long term, as Lirak Hasani and Ben Blythe seek to take advantage of their teammates' absences.

Scunthorpe United possible starting lineup:
Watson; Rowe, Onariase, Taft, Thompson; Hackney, Perry, Wood; Scrimshaw, Jarvis, Hippolyte

Doncaster Rovers possible starting lineup:
Jones; Knoyle, Anderson, Blythe, Horton; Hasani, Smith, Rowe; Dodoo, Bogle, Hiwula

We say: Scunthorpe United 0-0 Doncaster Rovers (Doncaster win on penalties)

With Scunthorpe struggling to perform domestically and Doncaster losing a worrying contingent of players to injury or international duty, another cagey affair ought to be in store.

It would not be a surprise to see both sides cancel each other out in a goalless 90 minutes, and we think that the visitors' prowess from 12 yards will see them through to the next round.

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