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

Two teams toward the bottom of the League Two table will meet on Saturday in what will be a crucial early six-pointer as each aims to start progressing up the division.

Sutton United will make the trip to face Doncaster Rovers as they attempt to get out of the relegation zone, while the hosts sit just four points above the bottom two.

Match preview

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Doncaster have had a very tricky start to the 2023-24 League Two campaign, having won only three of their 12 fixtures to this point, which has left the club just above the relegation zone.

The Vikings are only four points ahead of the bottom two places, and while that means they are mathematically unable to drop into that this weekend, they will not want that gap to shrink.

Grant McCann's men battled a five-goal thriller in midweek against Mansfield Town in the EFL Trophy, with goals from Ben Close and Joe Ironside ultimately meaning nothing after they conceded in the 88th minute.

The lack of concentration at the end of the game is something the Vikings will have been left frustrated with, particularly on the back of a 1-0 defeat against Stockport County.

However, Doncaster have been stronger at home this season with two wins and two draws out of their six matches, and that should inject some belief into the squad.

The visitors currently sit in the relegation zone with only goal difference keeping them off the foot of the table after a tough start to the campaign.

Sutton have only managed to win two games in League Two this season, with a big weakness being the defensive side of the game as they have conceded 26 goals so far.

While no team has let in more than them, the Yellows have managed to keep consecutive clean sheets heading into this weekend, picking up victories in both matches at the same time.

It took a penalty shootout for Sutton to defeat Crawley Town in the EFL Trophy after a goalless draw, but the defensive improvements will have been welcomed.

Meanwhile, Matt Gray's men secured an impressive 4-0 victory during their most recent League Two outing, and a repeat of that result this weekend could potentially take them out of the relegation zone.

Team News

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Ironside and Close will be hoping to retain their individual places in the starting lineup for the hosts after they each got on the scoresheet in midweek.

Academy star Will Flint also got the chance to start against Mansfield, and he could end up finding himself featuring again at the weekend after impressing.

After scoring a brace last weekend it is likely that Harry Smith will retain his place in the Sutton team, likely partnering Aiden O'Brien.

Dean Bouzanis is also set to make a return to the starting lineup for the visitors after being rested in midweek, while Omari Patrick will be providing the width throughout the match.

Doncaster Rovers possible starting lineup:

Jones; Flint, Bailey, Anderson, Olowu, Molyneux; Rowe, Close, Broadbent; Ironside, Faal

Sutton United possible starting lineup:

Bouzanis; Kizzi, Sowunmi, Goodlife, Hart; Coley, Clay, N'Guessan, Patrick; O'Brien, Smith

We say: Doncaster Rovers 1-1 Sutton United

Both of these teams will be desperate to pick up some points as they try to push away from the situation they are in at the moment.

However, that in itself is something that could lead to Doncaster and Sutton playing out a draw, especially due to the lack of confidence in each squad.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.