Rovers will be looking to spread some festive cheer with victory over Oldham Athletic on Boxing Day.
Rovers are looking to get straight back to business, after last weekend’s fixture postponement, and the trip to Lancashire will provide that opportunity.
The fixture represents the third time Dean Saunders and Paul Dickov cross swords this season with both managers boasting one victory each.
The fixture also provides Rovers the chance to record their first league double of the season.
The Boxing Day meeting between the sides will be the 36th ‘War of the Roses’ between Rovers and Oldham with Dean Saunders’ men looking to extend their overall record against the Latics to 16 wins an advantage of 9.
The spoils have been shared on 14 occasions with the most recent League encounter back in December 2007 at Boundary Park ending a draw.
Rovers most recent victory in Oldham was when the two sides met in November 2005, Michael McIndoe netting the only goal of the game from the penalty spot.
Goals haven’t been hard to come by; there have only been three occasions when Rovers haven’t scored at the home of the Latics, resulting in two losses and one goalless draw.
The home ‘keeper has picked the ball out of the net 25 times, while the hosts have a small advantage in the goal stakes with a total of 27.
In 18 visits to Boundary Park, Rovers have a win count of six with six draws and six defeats.
The biggest winning margins between the sides have all occurred in March, with Rovers winning 4-1 in 1950, Oldham have twice scored four to no reply, in 1963 and 2007.
Team:
Oldham Athletic – 0
Rovers -1 – David Cotterill
Last Meeting – League – 27/11/12Gary Woods; Paul Quinn, Rob Jones ©, Tommy Spurr, James Husband; David Cotterill, Paul Keegan, James Harper, Martin Woods; Iain Hume, Chris Brown
Showers should ease for a time through the morning, with a drier interlude for many areas. However, rain, heavy at times will return during the afternoon.