We look at a previous encounter between the two sides.
One game, one win, this is all that stands between Rovers and an extended stay in the Championship. The task is straightforward; equal or better Birmingham City’s result in their final game of the season against in form Bolton Wanderers and safety is assured.
The final game of the season sees Rovers make the relatively short trip to Premier League bound Leicester City who will be looking to get at least one point to achieve a century of points this campaign, however, with two wins in the last three games against the Foxes there is plenty for the visitors to be optimistic about.
Back in April 2011, Rovers were set to welcome Leicester to the Keepmoat in the penultimate game of the campaign as they looked to get victory and continue a late push for a playoff spot while the home side needed a point to secure second tier status for 2011/12.
The Foxes started the game very quickly and had the ball in the net with their first attack, former England international Darius Vassell slamming the ball past Neil Sullivan from Andy King’s precise through ball but thankfully the assistant referee deemed the striker to be offside.
Vassell proved to be a constant threat in the early throes of the game and he created the next chance for Paul Gallacher who curled a delicious effort just wide of the goal. Sullivan was then in the thick of things as Gallacher squirmed away from the attentions of George Friend and Wayne Thomas but the Rovers ‘keeper got his angles spot on to save. The 41 year old goalkeeper was earning every penny as he turned away a blistering 35 yard free kick from Gallacher just before the break but it was Rovers who were to finish the first period on the front foot.
James Hayter and Ryan Mason both flashed low crosses deep into the Foxes penalty area and unfortunately the toe end to put the ball into the goal just eluded the home side.
In the second half the introduction of Steve Brooker for Jason Euell invigorated Rovers even further and it was the substitute who was to put the home side into the lead in fine style. Sullivan hoisted the ball forward and the former Bristol City forward held off the attentions of Miguel Vitor before smashing in an unstoppable volley from 25 yards past Chris Weale.
The goal stunned the visitors who lost some of their passing ability and composure in midfield for a good quarter of an hour or so and it looked like the home side would take the points, but with 15 minutes remaining on the clock Steve Howard and Vassell linked to feed the ball into Nigerian international Ayegbeni Yakubu and, though he initially looked offside, the flag stayed down and he coolly finished past Sullivan.
Mason almost snatched a winner for Rovers moments later when his shot from distance appeared to have got the better of Weale but unfortunately for the home side the ball just went over the top via the Foxes slight deflection.
The points were shared, and vitally for Rovers it ensured another season in the Championship, however for the visitors it put paid to any Premier League promotion ambitions and left them with nothing to play for in their final game of the season.
DRFC: N Sullivan, J O'Connor, G Friend, W Thomas, M Dumbuya, S Gillett (B Stock, 81), J Coppinger, J Oster, R Mason (S Hird, 89), J Euell (S Brooker, 46), J Hayter.
LCFC: C Weale, M Vitor, K Naughton, B Mee (B Berner, 66), J Bruma, A King, Y Abe (S Howard, 61), R Wellens, Yakubu, P Gallagher (D Kamara, 52), D Vassell
Attendance – 11, 757
Stats
Whisper it quietly, but the stats don’t favour Rovers in the head to head contests against the Foxes. Rovers haven’t defeated Leicester for over a century on their patch.
In 15 attempts, Rovers have only prospered the once, back in 1902 against Leicester Fosse, as they were known at the time, rather than the ‘City’ moniker.
Indeed, only one contest has been drawn at Leicester in these meetings, a spirited 0-0 for Sean O’Driscoll’s side in 2010. The two games since have been rather one sides, with the hosts coming out on top 5-1 and 4-0 respectively.
Sky Bet
We can't look past the draw - a result which could potentially suit all parties - which is priced at 3/1 with Sky Bet.
Leicester 8/13
Draw 3/1
Doncaster Rovers 4/1
To open an account with Sky Bet CLICK HERE
* Odds subject to change, correct as of 24/04/14
Coverage
Rovers Player will be broadcasting Live audio commentary of the game. Don't miss a kick with our match day commentary team Tom Biltcliffe, Danny Czepiec and Glen Wilson from 11:45am.
Get in touch with the commentary team on air, tweet @drfc_official with the hashtag #LCFCvDRFC
Subscribe to Rovers Player can experience all of the below.
• Live Audio Commentary
• Extended Match Highlights
• Full Match Replays
• Exclusive Manager and Player Interviews
• TV News
Click HERE to subscribe