Rovers face an MK Dons side who are looking to turn their recent form around after losing their last three games.
Karl Robinson’s Dons have suffered from their cup exploits having not won in the league since New Year’s Day. A promising start to the season has stuttered and The Dons now find themselves in the bottom half of the League One table.
Victories over Sheffield Wednesday and Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup with Budweiser have given the Dons supporters something to cheer about in 2013, however they will be now looking to re-ignite a push for promotion.
As Karl Robinson brings his MK Dons squad to the Keepmoat this weekend they will be looking for their first ever win against Rovers. The side from Stadium:MK haven’t managed to get the better of us in any of the previous meetings at home or on the road.
It will be the fifth time the clubs will have faced each other and the third time in Doncaster. Hopefully on Tuesday, it will be as memorable as the first time that The Dons visited South Yorkshire, over the Christmas period eight years ago.
Boxing Day 2004 was the date when the two teams first met: it was also the inaugural season for the newest team in the Football League. However, come 4.50pm that day the visitors would have rather stayed at home as they ended the day in 23rd position in League One following a convincing win for Rovers who bounced back in some style after defeat against Sheffield Wednesday a week earlier at Belle Vue.
Dave Penney’s side went in front within ten minutes of the start, as Gareth Edds put the ball past his own ‘keeper, Matt Baker and it could have been much worse for the away side shortly after when Paul Green thought he’d doubled Rovers’ lead only to see it disallowed for offside.
In the second period the home side stepped up the pace and were to get their second goal through on loan Leeds forward, Simon Johnson, who swept home following good work from John Doolan, the goal galvanized Rovers and the Dons were left crestfallen.
Just two minutes later Johnson was to net his second of the game rounding off a fine move, running onto Michael McIndoe’s through ball to slot past Baker. It was almost a memorable day for Johnson, within ten minutes of his first goal he thought he’d got his hattrick but the assistant’s flag with the ball already in the back of the net.
Last Meeting - League
Mk Dons – 2 (Smith, Wilbraham)
Rovers – 3 (Fenton, Roberts, Heffernan)
Teams - Milton Keynes Dons - Matt Baker; Trent McClennan, Craig Morgan, Ben Chorley, Dean Lewington; Gareth Edds, Gary Smith, Paul Mitchell, Stephen Quinn; Izale McLeod, Aaron Wilbraham.
ROVERS - Jan Budtz; Nick Fenton, Steve Roberts, Steve Foster, Sean McDaid; James Coppinger, Sean Thornton, Ricky Ravenhill, Michael McIndoe; Jonathan Forte, Paul Heffernan.
Team News:
Midfielder David Syers (ankle) and Striker Iain Hume (calf) will both be missing from the game as they recovers from their respective injuries.
Paul Keegan is set to miss out after suffering a dead leg in the game against Walsall.
Bet Butler
to end their winless run.11/5 favourites to beat the Dons, whose league form has suffered a little lately due to their FA Cup exploits. Karl Robinson’s team haven’t won in League 1 since New Year’s Day, though did beat Sheffield Wednesday in the cup and face another of our near-neighbours, Barnsley, on Saturday. They are 5/4 make our boys Bet ButlerRovers have not lost to the MK Dons in four previous meetings and could find themselves at the top of League 1 for the first time this season with victory at the Keepmoat.
.17/2. A 2-1 correct score is available at 3/1The Dons have been particularly vulnerable in the first half lately and Rovers to be winning at half-time and full-time can be backed at
. 12/5). It may also end all-square at Scunthorpe, who take on Carlisle United. The draw at Glanford Park is also 12/5) while Bury have improve lately and can hold Sheffield United to a draw at Gigg Lane (EvensIt’s a busy night in League 1 and Brentford may also be worth a bet to revive their flagging hopes of automatic promotion against Stevenage (
for a voucher valid for tickets and club merchandise!enquiries@betbutler.co.uk, then email doncasterrovers.betbutler.co.ukRemember you can claim £25 to spend at your club when you sign up for Bet Butler. Simply place five £10 bets at evens or bigger at
to place your bet.CLICK HERE
Weather:
A cloudy but mainly dry evening expected. Temperatures to drop below 0°c with frosty and icy conditions possible
Travel
Delays at the Lakeside Shopping Village roundabout due to ongoing roadworks. Access to the stadium via the Middlebank roundabout.
Rovers Player
Live and exclusive coverage of Doncaster Rovers v MK Dons at Keepmoat Stadium on Tuesday 12th February 2013 will be available on Rovers Player from 7.30pm. Contact the commentary team via our official Twitter feed @drfc_official throughout the evening.
