League-leaders Lincoln City host Doncaster Rovers in promotion clash

Sky Bet League One’s game of the weekend sees promotion hopefuls Doncaster Rovers visit Sincil Bank to face table-topping Lincoln City.

The clash follows Lincoln’s eye-catching midweek game at Portsmouth where they overcame yet another hurdle on their hunt for their third promotion in five years with a 1-0 victory at Fratton Park.

The early red card for Jack Whatmough may have helped their cause, but there was no argument who the better side was as City extended their unbeaten run to seven and cemented their place at the top of the table – five points clear of Peterborough United in third. 

Next, they play host to Darren Moore’s Doncaster; a side in similar form having won eight of their last ten league outings.

? @Fejiri__ #DRFC https://t.co/vWilAXS7vL pic.twitter.com/Ep2LwGoUni

— Doncaster Rovers FC (@drfc_official) January 27, 2021

Despite losing star-man Ben Whiteman to Preston North End two weeks ago, Doncaster has not let the departure affect them with four league wins on the spin – scoring six and conceding one in the process.

Rovers, who have won their previous three League One away matches (seven out of a possible eight in total), handed Lincoln their only away defeat of the season back in October, which also gave them their third consecutive win against the East Midlands side in as many meetings.

A victory for the visitors this weekend would cut the deficit between the sides to three points with Donny holding two games in hand on their rivals. 

Doncaster were also handed a boost on Thursday when Southampton wide-man Josh Sims returned to the club on loan for the remainder of the season, while 28-year old striker Omar Bogle joined Friday morning becoming the club’s fifth signing of the January window.

As for the Imps, Appleton now has far more players to choose from after being able to name a full bench of seven substitutes against Pompey following a COVID outbreak in the camp at the start of the month. 

Lewis Monstma, James Jones, Harry Anderson and Morgan Rogers will hope to be involved from the start but it would be no surprise if Appleton sticks with the side which won in the week. 

The visitors expect to have winger Jason Lokilo and possibly midfielder Madger Gomes – the 23-year old Spaniard who won the Sky Bet League One Player of the Month award in September – available to face the Imps after recovering from respective injuries.

Lincoln have become a formidable force under Appleton this campaign and have goals spread all across the pitch with 12 different goal scorers this season – five of which scoring five or more. 

While Moore has built a young, fearless, attacking team who are progressing quicker than even he could have expected. Three points for his side here will make many punters reevaluate their promotion credentials. 

Ahead of the match, Moore said:

“We’re very pleased that we have managed to get seven wins from our last eight league games, but we keep taking each game as they come. 

“If we get the performance right in games, then we know the results won’t be too far away. 

“I’m delighted with the clean sheet too because that sets a mentality. When I look at previous games, we’ve given away goals in games we’ve won. So, to get back-to-back clean sheets is good.” (doncasterrovers.co.uk)

The City boss Appleton praised Saturday’s opponents, stating:

“They’re very good. They came through in a tight game in a 1-0 win at their place.

“They probably edged the first half, but I thought we were really good in the second half when we pinned when right in.

“It’s going to be a good game of football, a very different game to Tuesday and Saturday [against Northampton].

“It will be a bit more of an expansive game.” 

Whatever the result, the meeting promises to be entertaining one with the two teams scoring a total of 72 goals between them this term.

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