MX23RW : Thursday, January 30 10:14:07| >> :600:166113:166113:
[monks data]
Leeds logo
Championship
Mar 29, 2014 at 3pm UK
 
Doncaster Rovers

1-2

McCormack (62')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Cotterill (23'), Sharp (46')

Preview: Leeds United vs. Doncaster Rovers

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship Yorkshire derby as troubled Leeds host struggling Doncaster at Elland Road.

In a turbulent week for Leeds United on and off the field, a Yorkshire derby against Doncaster Rovers provides a fiery finale that could either ease their troubles or compound their misery.

Massimo Cellino's attempted takeover was blocked by the Football League earlier this week, leaving the club in limbo and potentially on the verge of another financial crisis.

Cellino has confirmed that he will appeal the decision, although both his chances and the club's future remain shrouded in uncertainty.

Events on the pitch also took a turn for the worse this week, with the Football League's decision being followed up the next day with a 4-1 drubbing at the hands of Bournemouth.

They did end a six-match winless streak with a narrow 2-1 victory over Millwall last Saturday, but a run of four defeats in their last five matches have left the club 14th in the table, with their playoff aspirations a distant memory.

The rest of this campaign will be dedicated to preparing the club for next season, both on and off the field, as Brian McDermott hopes for a much smoother year - if indeed he is still in charge.

A Yorkshire derby could be the perfect tonic for a timely morale boost, although they will have mixed memories of such encounters this season having thrashed Huddersfield Town 5-1 but also been thumped by Sheffield Wednesday 6-0.

Leeds have won six in a row against Doncaster, but McDermott does have a couple of injury concerns as he looks to make it seven, with Jimmy Kebe and Paddy Kenny both doubtful.

For Rovers, a victory over their local rivals would not only give them bragging rights, but could all but secure their Championship status for another season at least.

They are currently eight points clear of the bottom three with eight games remaining, and their next two matches are winnable encounters at home to Birmingham City and Bolton Wanderers.

A 2-0 defeat to Burnley on Tuesday ended Doncaster's mini-revival, which had seen them go four games unbeaten and concede just one goal in that time - a fine return for a side with the fourth-worst defensive record in the division.

That run will have given them plenty of confidence, however, and with Leeds lacking that precious commodity they will look to take advantage on Saturday.

To do that, however, they will need to improve their miserly home record, which has seen them go 15 matches without winning on the road, including failing to score in their last five.

Indeed, only Millwall and Barnsley have amassed fewer points on their travels this season, with Doncaster's sole away victory coming at Hillsborough against Sheffield Wednesday in another Yorkshire derby.

Paul Dickov could opt to name an unchanged team to the one that lost to Burnley, with defenders Jamie McCombe, Rob Jones, Gabriel Tamas and Bongani Khumalo still sidelined.

Recent form

Leeds: DLLLWL

Doncaster: LWWDWL

Possible starting lineups

Leeds: Butland; Byram, Pearce, Lees, Pugh; Austin, Murphy; Stewart, Mowatt, McCormack; Smith

Doncaster: Johnstone; Coppinger, Quinn, Meite, Husband; Duffy, Keegan, Wellens, Cotterill; Sharp, Brown

Sports Mole says: 2-2


ID:146663: cacheID:146663:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6357:
Written by
Barney Corkhill
No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

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


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Doncaster manager Paul Dickov prior to kick off against Wigan on August 20, 2013
Read Next:
Preview: Doncaster vs. Sheff Weds
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds29179353193460
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd29186540211958
3Burnley29151223692757
4Sunderland291510442241855
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom291014538251344
6Middlesbrough29128947361144
7Blackburn RoversBlackburn29126113228442
8Bristol City29101183734341
9Watford29125124041-141
10Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds29118104245-341
11Norwich CityNorwich29109104842639
12Coventry CityCoventry29108113938138
13Queens Park RangersQPR2991193237-538
14Millwall29910102826237
15Preston North EndPreston2981383236-437
16Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2999113343-1036
17Swansea CitySwansea2997133240-834
18Cardiff CityCardiff29710123344-1131
19Hull City2978143038-829
20Stoke CityStoke29611122636-1029
21Portsmouth2978143652-1629
22Derby CountyDerby2976163240-827
23Luton TownLuton2975172948-1926
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth29410152762-3522


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!