MX23RW : Thursday, April 3 07:14:04| >> :600:165656:165656:
[monks data]
Burton Albion
League One | Gameweek 28
Jan 25, 2025 at 3pm UK
Pirelli Stadium
Rotherham logo

Burton Albion
4 - 2
Rotherham

Dadi Bodvarsson (8', 41'), Sweeney (39'), McKiernan (47')
McKiernan (27'), Armer (67')
FT(HT: 3-1)
Sibley (2'), Green (61')

Preview: Burton Albion vs. Rotherham United - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's League One clash between Burton Albion and Rotherham United, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Both aiming to build on important wins and climb the League One table, Burton Albion and Rotherham United will do battle at the Pirelli Stadium on Saturday.

The hosts moved off the foot of the table with a long-awaited return to winning ways on Tuesday, while their visitors have risen to 13th spot in the midst of a growing unbeaten streak.


Match preview

Rotherham United manager Steve Evans during the EFL Sky Bet League 1 match between Wycombe Wanderers and Rotherham United at Adams Park, High Wycombe, England, on 24 August 2024. [on August 25, 2024]© Imago

Burton Albion return to League One action on Saturday aiming to give their survival hopes another boost, having climbed off the foot of the table in midweek after a dismal start to the campaign.

Following the brief tenures of Mark Robinson and Tom Hounsell, Gary Bowyer arrived at the Pirelli Stadium with the Brewers sat on just 12 points from 19 outings, and he was unable to inspire an initial improvement as his first five games at the helm produced two draws and their 12th, 13th and 14th league defeats of the campaign.

A trip to fellow strugglers Crawley Town then followed last weekend, and Bowyer's men were able to leave with a point, having led through Rumarn Burrell until Tola Showumni's 72nd-minute leveller, before they most recently visited Wigan Athletic on Tuesday in a bid to end an eight-game wait for a third League One win of the campaign.

Despite falling behind to a Thelo Aasgaard goal, the Brewers succeeded in ending that winless run, as Jon Dadi Bodvarsson instantly levelled the scores before Burrell sealed a 2-1 victory with a goal on the hour mark.

Having now moved up to 23rd spot, but still sitting three points behind 21st-placed Crawley and eight adrift of safety, they require a sustained improvement to stand a chance of maintaining their third-tier status and will bid to make it back-to-back wins for the first time this campaign on Saturday.

Rotherham United celebrating a goal in December 2024.© Imago

They face a tough test, though, with the visitors aiming to extend their strongest run of the season thus far and break into League One's top half at the weekend.

Aiming to bounce back to the Championship at the first time of asking under the management of Steve Evans following last season's Championship relegation, Rotherham United endured a disappointing first half to the campaign, as back-to-back defeats either side of Christmas left them on just 23 points from 20 games, having lost nine of those while only winning six.

The Millers have since gone unbeaten in five league games and six in all competitions, though, firstly playing out draws against promotion-chasers Stockport County and Huddersfield Town either side of a victory over Lincoln City, before seeing off Bolton Wanderers and Chesterfield in the league and EFL Trophy third round respectively.

Aiming to build on their new momentum, the South Yorkshire outfit then most recently hosted Charlton Athletic last weekend and took all three points in an eventful contest, having led 3-1 at the interval through Andre Green, Alex MacDonald and Zak Jules and gone 4-1 up through Mallik Wilks, before Matt Godden netted a late consolation for the visitors.

Having quickly climbed to 13th spot as a result of their recent improvement, Rotherham United now only sit a single point outside the top half and seven behind the playoffs, and they will hope to continue their rise towards the right end of the division.

Burton Albion League One form:

Rotherham United League One form:


Rotherham United form (all competitions):



Team News

Hakeem Odoffin (22) sprints forward with the ball during the EFL Sky Bet League 1 match between Wycombe Wanderers and Rotherham United at Adams Park, High Wycombe, England, on 24 August 2024 [on August 25, 2024]© Imago

Burton Albion should field an unchanged starting XI from their midweek victory, with Jon Dadi Bodvarsson and Rumarn Burrell continuing to lead the line after both scoring in that game, while the latter has found the net three times in his last four appearances.

That leaves top scorer Danilo Orsi to feature from the bench, having netted seven goals so far this season, while Mason Bennett and Billy Bodin should also settle for substitute appearances in attack.

Jack Armer, Ryan Sweeney and Terence Vancooten are all bound to continue in the middle of the defence, with Owen Dodgson and Udoka Godwin-Malife taking up wing-back roles.

Rotherham United could also be unchanged from their latest victory, with Hakeem Odoffin set to continue alongside Zak Jules at the heart of the back four despite Sean Raggett's return from injury.

Following Odoffin's move back, usual midfielder Cameron Humphreys has impressed at the base of the engine room in recent weeks and should again join Joe Powell, Alex MacDonald and Shaun McWilliams.

Despite competition from Jonson Clarke-Harris and Jordan Hugill, Andre Green and Mallik Wilks will continue to partner up in attack, having both scored in last week's win.


Burton Albion possible starting lineup:
Crocombe; Godwin-Malife, Armer, Sweeney, Vancooten, Dodgson; Webster, Chauke, McKiernan; Bodvarsson, Burrell

Rotherham United possible starting lineup:
Phillips; Rafferty, Odoffin, Jules, James; MacDonald, Humphreys, McWilliams, Powell; Wilks, Green


SM words green background

We say: Burton Albion 1-2 Rotherham United

Burton Albion should have some much-needed confidence from their return to winning ways on Tuesday, but they face a tough test against a Rotherham United side who finally appear to be making their quality count.

Growing in momentum under Evans, we back the Millers to leave the Pirelli Stadium with three more points on Saturday.


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


ID:563660:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect15195:
Written by
Sam Varley

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Burton Albion vs Rotherham

Burton Albion
20.0%
Draw
20.0%
Rotherham United
60.0%
15
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Blackpool manager Steve Bruce on September 21, 2024
Read Next:
Saturday's League One predictions including Blackpool vs. Huddersfield
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Birmingham CityBirmingham38278365263989
2Wrexham40239856322478
3Wycombe WanderersWycombe392112665362975
4Charlton AthleticCharlton402191055361972
5Stockport CountyStockport402011958362271
6Bolton WanderersBolton39196146157463
7Reading391711115550562
8Huddersfield TownHuddersfield391871452391361
9Blackpool4015151062511160
10Leyton Orient391851655401559
11Barnsley40159165457-354
12Lincoln CityLincoln401411155446853
13Stevenage391310163542-749
14Peterborough UnitedPeterborough39139176166-548
15Rotherham UnitedRotherham39139174449-548
16Exeter CityExeter39139174254-1248
17Mansfield TownMansfield39138184654-847
18Wigan AthleticWigan381111163438-444
19Northampton TownNorthampton401013173859-2143
20Bristol Rovers40126224165-2442
21Burton Albion39912184156-1539
22Crawley TownCrawley4099224775-2836
23Cambridge UnitedCambridge40711223965-2632
24Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury3978243566-3129


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!