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

Doncaster Rovers play host to Cambridge United on Tuesday evening looking to build on their recent improvements in League One.

While the home side currently sit in 23rd position in the standings, they are just five points adrift of their 18th-placed opponents, who have failed to build on a strong start to the campaign.

Match preview

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Scoring just nine goals from 13 matches and being four points adrift of safety does not paint the most attractive pictures as far as Doncaster are concerned.

However, Richie Wellens finally appears to be getting more out of his players, Rovers collecting nine points from their last seven matches.

Each of their three victories have come at the Keepmoat Stadium, the latest coming on Saturday as Rovers withstood a second-half comeback from Cheltenham Town to claim a 3-2 win.

Although Tommy Rowe remains the only player to net more than once in the third tier, Wellens will take the positives from three different players all registering their first strikes of the season in that game.

As far as Cambridge are concerned, they will not relish their visit to Yorkshire after suffering their second heavy defeat of the season at the weekend.

Soon after entering the final quarter on level terms at Shrewsbury Town, Adam May was dismissed, leading to three goals being conceded during the final 17 minutes.

Like their hosts, the recently-promoted side have now conceded 23 goals from their 13 matches, and it has left Mark Bonner with much work ahead to get his team back on track.

Even though Cambridge have maintained their record of scoring in all but one of the League One fixtures this season, leading marksman Joe Ironside has netted just once in six outings.

Cambridge have only prevailed in one of their last six meetings with Doncaster, that triumph coming in a LDV Vans Trophy tie back in 2005.

Team News

With Rowe expected to miss this fixture through injury, Wellens must decide who should deputise for the ever-present at left wing-back.

Despite the reshuffle at the weekend, Branden Horton may get the nod for his first appearance since August 28.

Barring any further injury issues, that could prove to be the only alteration to the team which started the Cheltenham game.

Cambridge will make two enforced changes with goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov missing through injury and May serving a suspension.

Kai McKenzie-Lyle will make his first start of the season between the sticks, while Jensen Weir will hope to deputise for May in midfield.

Doncaster Rovers possible starting lineup:

Dahlberg; Anderson, Williams, Olowu; Galbraith, Close, Bostock, Horton; Vilca, Dodoo, Hiwula-Mayifuila

Cambridge United possible starting lineup:

McKenzie-Lyle; Williams, Jones, Masterso, Iredale; Weir, Digby; Tracey, Hoolahan, Brophy; Ironside

We say: Doncaster Rovers 2-1 Cambridge United

While things have not been pretty for Doncaster this season, you cannot ignore that they are making progress. With Cambridge at the opposite end of the spectrum, we are backing the home side to edge this contest by the odd goal in three.