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

With only one point separating the sides in the League Two table, Doncaster Rovers will welcome Tranmere Rovers to the Keepmoat Stadium on Tuesday for what promises to be a close-fought contest.

Rovers have lost their last three matches, while Tranmere have won only one of their previous five games.

Match preview

© Reuters

Although Doncaster currently sit in 15th place, they will be harbouring hopes of mounting a playoff push, with five points separating them from the top seven.

They also have the advantage of boasting at least one game in hand over the majority of the teams above them in the table, but if they are to close the gap to the playoffs, they need to improve upon their recent form after suffering three consecutive defeats.

Rovers looked set to play out a goalless draw against Hartlepool United at the weekend until their opponents snatched all three points following Daniel Dodds's 88th-minute winner.

Having only kept one clean sheet in their 13 home league games this season, Danny Schofield's side will be looking for a resolute defensive display on Tuesday.

The first goal could be particularly crucial for Rovers, who have won all nine league matches this term where they have opened the scoring.

Meanwhile, Tranmere are one place and one point above Doncaster, and like their opponents, they will be targeting a playoff place despite currently sitting in the bottom half of the table.

In their most recent outing, goals from Kane Hemmings and Kieron Morris were not enough to prevent Tranmere from falling to a 3-2 defeat in their away meeting with Stockport County.

If they are to reduce the four-point deficit to the top seven, they will need to start consistently winning games, after recording just one success in their previous five matches.

Tranmere's away form has also hindered their recent progress, with their last nine competitive away games yielding only one victory.

However, Micky Mellon's do have the chance to complete a league double over Doncaster after thrashing Tuesday's opponents 3-0 on Boxing Day.

Team News

Doncaster are expected to be without the services of Ollie Younger, Adam Long and Jon Taylor due to injury issues.

Tommy Rowe returned from a spell on the sidelines to feature as a substitute against Hartlepool, and he could be given a place in the starting lineup for Tuesday's contest.

After being brought into the lineup for their first starts in a Doncaster shirt on Saturday, January arrivals James Brown and Caolan Lavery are expected to retain their place in the side.

As for the visitors, Regan Hendry arrived on loan from Forest Green Rovers on transfer deadline day, and after making his debut as a substitute at the weekend, he could be given a starting berth for the midweek encounter.

Jay Turner-Cooke also joined the club on the final day of the January window, and although he was not in the squad for the defeat to Stockport, the Newcastle United loanee could be on the bench on Tuesday.

Another January signing, Harvey Saunders, has started his first two games for the club, and he will continue his fledgling forward partnership with Hemmings.

Doncaster Rovers possible starting lineup:

Mitchell; Anderson, Williams, Nelson; Brown, Close, Biggns, Maxwelll; Lavery, Hurst, Miller

Tranmere Rovers possible starting lineup:

Hewelt; Dacres-Cogley, Davies, Turnbull, Bristow; Morris, Hendry, O'Connor, Hawkes; Saunders, Hemmings

We say: Doncaster Rovers 1-1 Tranmere Rovers

Although Tranmere cruised to a 3-0 victory when the two sides met on Boxing Day, they have won only one of their last seven away league games, and we think that they will have to settle for a point from Tuesday's away trip.

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