As part of this weekend's FA Cup Third Round action, Championship Hull City are set to host League Two Doncaster Rovers on Sunday at The MKM Stadium.
The hosts are making their first foray into the competition this season, while the visitors came from behind to beat seventh-tier Kettering Town to reach this stage.
Match preview
© Imago
Ruben Selles's Hull have endured a difficult season so far in the Championship, and are currently languishing in the relegation zone after picking up just 23 points from their 26 matches so far.
Former Southampton boss Selles started 2024-25 in charge of League One Reading, but was appointed by the Tigers in early December after they sacked Tim Walter following a run of nine games without a win.
Since his arrival, Sunday's hosts have played seven games, losing three, drawing two and winning two, including a 2-1 victory over Swansea City last month, which was the club's first competitive win since October 1.
Last time out, Hull drew 3-3 with top-of-the-table Leeds United, a match in which Abu Kamara and Joao Pedro Galvao rescued a point with a goal each in the final 10 minutes, and the character they showed to come from behind will give the team confidence ahead of their cup clash.
This weekend, the Tigers will be looking to make the fourth round of the FA Cup for the first time since 2019-20 after being eliminated at this stage for three consecutive seasons, and Selles will hope that a strong cup run can also inspire their fight for survival in England's second tier.
© Imago
Meanwhile, Grant McCann's Doncaster Rovers are pushing for promotion to League One this term, and have earned 40 points from their 25 league games.
En route to the third round, Rovers have faced fellow League Two side Barrow and seventh-tier Kettering, though they did need extra time to complete a comeback against their lower-tier opponents on December 1.
Last time out, McCann's side lost 2-1 at home to playoff rivals Port Vale, and on the whole it is fair to say that they have been in mixed form since their previous loss against the Valiants in the EFL Trophy last month.
Including those two matches, Doncaster have won two, drawn one and lost four of their seven most recent games, a record that contrasts negatively with the nine-game unbeaten streak they were on beforehand that featured five wins and four draws across all competitions.
This weekend, Rovers will be keen to get the second part of their campaign back on track with yet another win in the FA Cup, and, as always, the potential for a matchup with a Premier League giant in the next round remains a major incentive for the fourth-tier side.
Team News
© Imago
Hull are without left-sided attacker Liam Millar, who is out for the rest of the season as he recovers from an anterior cruciate ligament injury, as well as midfielder Oscar Zambrano, who has been suspended for breaching anti-doping rules.
In their absence, Mason Burstow is likely to continue on the left side of the Tigers' offence, while Steven Alzate and Regan Slater should be patrolling the middle of the park this weekend.
Elsewhere, Charlie Hughes, Mohamed Belloumi, Kasey Palmer and Ryan Longman are out with injury, and Brighton loanee goalkeeper Carl Rushworth, who has been dealing with an ankle injury since October, remains unavailable amidst rumours of a potential recall by his parent club.
As for Doncaster, boss McCann will be without left-back Brandon Fleming, who had made 17 league appearances this season on loan from Sunday's opponents, after he was recalled by his parent club earlier this week.
As a result, James Maxwell is likely to start on the left side of a defence featuring Jay McGrath, Joseph Olowu and Jamie Sterry.
On the other hand, Rovers have brought in former Liverpool academy forward Ethan Ennis on loan from Manchester United, and the youngster, who scored against his new club in the EFL Trophy back in September, may make the bench this weekend if he can be registered in time.
Hull City possible starting lineup:
Pandur; Coyle, Jones, McLoughlin, Jacob; Slater, Alzate; Kamara, Puerta, Burstow; Joao Pedro Galvao
Doncaster Rovers possible starting lineup:
Sharman-Lowe; Sterry, Olowu, McGrath, Maxwell; Bailey, Kelly; Molyneux, Clifton, Gibson; Sharp
We say: Hull City 2-0 Doncaster Rovers
Neither side are in the best form at the moment, and both have recorded two wins, one draw and two losses from their last five matches.
However, Hull's performances have improved under boss Selles, and given their commendable showing last time out against title-chasing Leeds, they could enjoy a comfortable win over their League Two opposition on Sunday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
