Preview: Rotherham United vs Stevenage - prediction, team news, lineups

Relegation-threatened Rotherham United welcome promotion-chasing Stevenage to the New York Stadium on Good Friday in a contest that could have major ramifications at both ends of the League One table.

New boss Lee Clark endured a difficult return to management as the Millers were beaten 3-0 by league leaders Lincoln City, while Alex Revell's side boosted their playoff hopes with a 1-0 victory over Reading.

Match preview

Taking charge of his first game in over four years, Clark was handed a daunting opening match, with his new side travelling to the league leaders and falling 3-0 behind inside the opening 45 minutes.

Lincoln City remained in control after the break and comfortably saw out the win, strengthening their grip at the top of the table while dealing a further blow to Rotherham's survival hopes.

That defeat on the road marked their 20th league loss of the season, and, along with just nine wins and nine draws, leaves them six points adrift of safety with eight games remaining.

With that said, the South Yorkshire side do have games in hand on the sides surrounding them and know they have an opportunity to close the gap on those above them if they are to find a 10th win of the season and begin to string together more positive results.

Encouragement can be taken from their recent home form, having picked up five points from their last three matches at the New York Stadium, and they will need to maintain that momentum if they are to avoid a return to England's fourth tier for the first time since the 2012-13 campaign.

As for Stevenage, they have been enjoying a far more successful season at the right end of the table and will be looking to cement their place in the playoff places before the season draws to a close.

As it stands, with Boro also having eight games remaining, they sit in seventh place with 60 points claimed after recording 17 wins, nine draws and 12 defeats, just one point behind sixth-placed Reading, who they also have two games in hand on and defeated last time out.

A late strike from Dan Kemp off the bench secured a valuable win over the Royals, allowing Stevenage to bounce back from a disappointing defeat at Plymouth Argyle and keep the pressure on those above them.

Victory on Good Friday, along with results elsewhere going their way, could see them move into the top six over the Easter weekend.

Despite their strong overall campaign, consistency on the road has been an issue in recent weeks, with four defeats from their last five away matches highlighting an area that must improve if they are to have a shot at securing a place in the Championship next season.

The pair lock horns for the second time this season after Stevenage won 1-0 thanks to a Jamie Reid goal on the stroke of half-time back on matchweek two.

Rotherham United League One form:

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Stevenage League One form:

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Team News

Clark has the luxury of naming the same XI for his second game back in the dugout after sustaining no further injuries in their loss to Lincoln City and enjoying an extended gap between matches because of the international break.

The Millers will, however, be unable to call upon Hamish Douglas, Denzel Hall, Kian Spence, Marvin Kaleta, Joshua Kayode, Dru Yearwood, Shaun McWilliams, Joe Powell and Jordan Hugill who remain absent through injury.

Lino Sousa was initially expected to miss the Lincoln clash through injury, but the issue proved less serious than first feared and he was able to feature from the bench, he may push for a start in this one.

As for the visitors, they also came away with no additional injury concerns, though changes to the starting lineup are expected.

Kemp is likely come straight into the team after scoring off the bench last time out, with Louis Thompson the most plausible player to make way.

Reid, who scored in the reverse fixture and has netted four times in his last seven appearances, is set to continue leading the line alongside Matt Phillips.

Rotherham United possible starting lineup:

Cann; Rafferty, Agbaire, Jules, James; Kelly, Baptiste; Martha, Gore, Watmore; Nombe

Stevenage possible starting lineup:

Marschall; Goode, Piergianni, Freestone; James-Wildin, Kemp, White, J. Roberts; M. Phillips, D. Phillips, Reid