In a clash that could affect the race for survival and promotion in League One, Rotherham United will welcome Cambridge United to the New York Stadium on Tuesday.
The hosts are 13th with 34 points following their 4-2 defeat against Burton Albion on Saturday but could move within five points of the promotion playoff spots with a victory against Cambridge, who are third last in 22nd place with 21 points but beat Mansfield Town 3-2 on Saturday.
Match preview
© Imago
Rotherham took the lead after just two minutes against Burton, but three first-half goals and a fourth by the 47th minute from the Brewers meant they trailed 4-1 before Andre Green managed to reduce the deficit on the hour mark.
It should be noted that while the hosts are currently eight points from sixth-placed Barnsley, who occupy the final promotion playoff spot, they have played a game fewer and are in strong form.
Boss Steve Evans has overseen three victories in his side's last five league games – losing one and drawing one – and has won more points in that time than 22 other clubs in the division in that period.
Rotherham have scored and conceded 30 goals in League One, and they have found the back of the net on nine occasions in their last three games in the competition, though they also conceded nine goals in that time.
The Millers' record at home is strong given they have triumphed in five of their seven most recent outings at New York Stadium, losing just once.
© Imago
The visitors raced into a two-goal lead against Mansfield after just seven minutes and were already winning 3-0 by the time they conceded their first goal in the 61st minute.
Cambridge were beaten 1-0 by Rotherham on October 1, a match in which the victors scored the only big chance they created, with the winning goal coming from a throw-in in the 92nd minute.
Manager Gary Monk's team are six points and two places from 20th-placed Northampton Town, who are the first club outside the relegation zone, but they have at least played a game fewer than their relegation rivals.
Monk's side will have to improve their form if they are to survive, as while they won last time out, they did lose six and draw two of their prior eight outings in all competitions.
The visitors' record on the road is poor considering they are winless in their last eight away games - losing five and drawing three – and have in fact been beaten in nine of their 13 away matches in League One, winning just one.
Team News
© Imago
The hosts are likely to name Green and Louie Sibley in attack given both scored against Burton Albion, and they may be joined by forward Mallik Wilks.
Cameron Humphreys, Alex MacDonald and Joe Powell have started in a midfield three for four consecutive league games, and they may feature again on Tuesday.
Centre-backs Zak Jules and Hakeem Odofin are candidates to play in central defence ahead of goalkeeper Dillon Phillips.
Cambridge goalkeeper Marko Marosi was taken off as a result of injury against Mansfield, so expect Jack Stevens to come into the XI.
Centre-backs Zeno Ibsen Rossi, Michael Morrison and Kelland Watts are likely to start in defence behind a double pivot consisting of Jordan Cousins and James Brophy.
Forwards Ryan Loft and Josh Stokes both scored last time out, and they could be joined up front by Elias Kachunga.
Rotherham United possible starting lineup:
Phillips; Rafferty, Odoffin, Jules, James; Humphreys, MacDonald, Powell; Sibley; Wilks, Green
Cambridge United possible starting lineup:
Stevens; Rossi, Morrison, Watts; Bennett, Cousins, Brophy, Andrew; Kachunga, Stokes, Loft
We say: Rotherham United 2-1 Cambridge United
Rotherham should be considered strong favourites as they boast a strong record at home and are in good goalscoring form.
While Cambridge could find the back of the net given the hosts have been porous defensively of late, they have struggled away from home all season, and it is difficult to see them picking up any points on Tuesday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
