MX23RW : Monday, March 24 06:59:49| >> :600:217786:217786:
[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 UnitedLeeds382311476255180
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd38257653282580
3Burnley382115252114178
4Sunderland381912755371869
5Coventry CityCoventry38178135548759
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom381318748341457
7Bristol City38141594941857
8Middlesbrough38159145748954
9Blackburn RoversBlackburn38157164240252
10Watford38157164751-452
11Millwall381312133739-251
12Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds38149155359-651
13Norwich CityNorwich381213136054649
14Preston North EndPreston381017113944-547
15Queens Park RangersQPR381112154450-645
16Swansea CitySwansea38128183849-1144
17Portsmouth38119184661-1542
18Oxford UnitedOxford Utd381012163955-1642
19Hull City381011173947-841
20Stoke CityStoke38912173751-1439
21Cardiff CityCardiff38912174262-2039
22Derby CountyDerby38108204051-1138
23Luton TownLuton3898213460-2635
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth38712194077-3733


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!