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Doncaster Rovers
Championship
Mar 8, 2014 at 3pm UK
 
Huddersfield logo

2-0

Sharp (28'), Cotterill (55')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Preview: Doncaster Rovers vs. Huddersfield Town

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship clash between struggling Doncaster and Huddersfield at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Doncaster Rovers will be looking to give their Championship survival hopes a major boost when they host Huddersfield at the Keepmoat Stadium on Saturday.

Rovers are currently three points above the drop zone, although they have played three games more than 22nd-placed Charlton Athletic and one more than both Yeovil Town and Barnsley.

They go into Saturday's game in poor form, with a five-match winless streak hitting its nadir last weekend when they were hammered 5-0 by Bournemouth.

Things looked to be on the up for Paul Dickov's side towards the tail end of January with two wins and a draw, but since the start of February they have picked up just two points and failed to score in four of their five outings.

Most of those games have come away from home, however, and Doncaster will certainly be relying more on their home form to keep them in the division this season.

They are unbeaten in their last five league matches at the Keepmoat, while the 2-2 draw against Barnsley last month was the first time that they had conceded a home league goal since Boxing Day.

The hosts will also be boosted by the return of Billy Sharp from suspension, but Rob Jones and Jamie McCombe remain sidelined with long-term injuries.

While Doncaster were on the end of a 5-0 drubbing last weekend, Huddersfield handed one of their own out as they thrashed Yorkshire rivals Barnsley at the John Smith's Stadium.

That victory left the team nine points off the playoffs, although Mark Robins will harbour little ambition of closing that gap having played a game more than in-form Wigan in sixth.

Town have struggled for consistency all season, and that has been no different in recent weeks, alternating between impressive victories, such as the 1-0 win over Wigan, and disappointing defeats, such as a 2-0 loss at home to Sheffield Wednesday.

However, while they may not be in contention for a playoff place they will at least rest safe in the knowledge that relegation is not a threat to them, and their building for next season can start now.

Robins will once again be without top scorer James Vaughan, although he could be fit enough for the bench following a lengthy spell out with injury.

Recent form

Doncaster: WDLDLL

Huddersfield: LWLWLW

Possible starting lineups

Doncaster: Johnstone; Quinn, Khumalo, Meite, Husband; Duffy, Keegan, Furman, Coppinger; Sharp, Brown

Huddersfield: Smithies; Wallace, Gerrard, Smith; Hammill, Clayton, Southern, Norwood, Dixon; Wells, Ward

Sports Mole says: 1-1


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Manager Gary Johnson of Yeovil watches on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Burnley and Yeovil Town at Turf Moor on August 17, 2013
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