Doncaster Rovers

The team go into the trip to Deepdale on the back of a late David Syers goal which saw them take all three points in a tight match at Oldham Athletic and this game offers the opportunity to continue the positive results.

The fixture provides the chance for revenge as this will be the second meeting between the two sides this season with Graham Westley’s side taking the spoils in the clash at the Keepmoat back in October with a 3-1 victory.

Deepdale hasn’t been the happiest of hunting grounds in the past for Rovers with only two wins in 15 visits to their Lancashire rivals although Rovers are unbeaten in their last two visits having not lost there since December 2008.

The most recent of those victories came on the opening day of the 2010/11 season with goals from James O’Connor and James Hayter giving Rovers the perfect start to the season. 

This gave Rovers their biggest win at Preston, with the home side’s biggest margin of victory being a 6-1 win in December 1950.

History suggests a tough task with Preston outscoring away side in this fixture with 39 goals to 13.

Goals are inevitable in this fixture as there has been no goalless draws in the 32 meetings between the sides at either ground with Rovers scoring an average of 1.22 goals in games with Preston.

This season has seen the two sides have differing emotions. Dean Saunders’ men, sitting 4th in the league, are seen to be a team looking to push for promotion having amassed the most victories in the league with 13. Preston, despite their victory at the Keepmoat this season, are lingering in 14th after a mixed bag of results. 

Team News:
Striker Iain Hume is unavailable to play in the game as it is against his parent club. Martin Woods is a week away from returning to training. Dean Saunders has no further injury worries.

Weather:

Remaining windy, with persistent rain clearing to the east through the afternoon. Then brighter and colder, with scattered, perhaps heavy showers developing.

Allow extra time for your journey to Deepdale due to speed restrictions on M62.

There is not a great deal in the way of pubs in close proximity to the ground. Further up Tom Finney Way (which used to be called Deepdale Road) from the stadium, is Sumners. This pub normally has a good mix of home and away supporters, although for certain high profile games and local derbies the pub does not admit away supporters. There is a good sized beer garden & car park at the pub. The pub does charge for parking (£3) but this can be redeemed against a purchase at the bar. Good food is available and children are allowed in.