A fiery encounter could be on the cards as there is plenty at stake in this South Yorkshire derby at the Keepmoat Stadium between play-off chasing Rovers and near-neighbours the Tykes, who are currently in the one of the spots for automatic promotion.
Doncaster Form
Doncaster have surprised a few people this season after looking an average side last term under Darren Ferguson. Grant McCann’s loanees have made a big impact with Leeds’ Mallik Wilks having scored 11 times already this season. Liverpool’s Herbie Kane has been attracting rave reviews and they’ve been an excellent back-up to top scorer John Marquis, who comes back into contention after missing Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Blackpool through suspension. Veteran James Coppinger is also likely to earn a recall having started on the bench in midweek – the 37-year-old has provided more assists than any other player in League 1. That said, Rovers are in the midst of their poorest run of the season having failed to win any of their last six games in all competitions, though they are unbeaten at the Keepmoat since October in the league.
Barnsley Form
Barnsley remain on course to secure an immediate return from the Championship but missed an opportunity to open up a gap on third-placed Sunderland when held to a draw by the Mackems on Tuesday with Luton pulling further clear at the top. They are again without the suspended Cameron McGeehan and Jacob Brown while Kieffer Moore with not play again this season but former Fulham forward Cauley Woodrow has stepped into his shoes by scoring five goals in his last seven appearances and Mamadou Thiam and Alex Mowatt are threats from midfield. Daniel Stendel’s side haven’t lost since early December, a 17-game unbeaten run, and have not conceded in their last five matches but this derby will be a test of their credentials with a big crowd anticipated.
Doncaster v Barnsley Head-to-Heads
Barnsley haven’t won at the Keepmoat Stadium since 2011, losing on three of their last four visits. In their last 14 meetings, there has only been one occasion in which more than three goals have been scored and there has only been one goal between the teams when there has been a positive result in that time. The sides played out a 1-1 draw at Oakwell in November when Rovers probably came closest to ending Barnsley’s unbeaten home record this season.
Doncaster v Barnsley Current Match Odds
Doncaster 2/1, Draw 12/5, Barnsley 6/4 (Odds correct at 9.45am March 14)
Doncaster v Barnsley Predictions
There is no love lost and rarely much between these sides and both teams have had disciplinary issues in recent matches so it would be no surprise to see a red card brandished at some point if tempers boil over – that can be backed at 7/2 with bet365. Don’t expect a high-scoring affair as Barnsley’s defence is the best in League 1 and Doncaster don’t tend to give much away at home, though both are among the top five scorers in the division. This is almost too close to call and a point each would not be a total disaster for either side – the draw is a best 12/5 with BetVictor, who are also best odds on Under 3.5 Total Goals.
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