Preview: Notts County vs. Doncaster Rovers - prediction, team news, lineups
Two sides who could do well with a win go head to head on Boxing Day as Notts County play host to Doncaster Rovers at the Meadow Lane in round 24 of the League One.
· Sports MoleThe Magpies, who cruised to a comfortable 3-1 victory when both teams faced off in August's reverse fixture, will look to complete the double over the visitors and snap their losing streak.
Match preview
Notts County failed to stop the rot as they suffered a 2-1 defeat against league Stockport County when the sides squared off at Edgeley Park on Friday.
David McGoldrick could only grab a 93rd-minute consolation as Kyle Wootton and Paddy Madden found the target to ensure the hosts remain six points clear at the top of the table heading into Christmas.
Notts County have now lost each of their last four outings across all competitions, a run which has seen them crash out of the FA Cup courtesy of a 3-2 home defeat at the hands of Shrewsbury Town on December 1.
The Magpies' last victory came on November 28, when McGoldrick, Jim O'Brien and Junior Morias all found the back of the net to cancel Adam Campbell's 10th-minute opener and turn the game on its head.
Breaching opposing defences has not been a worry for Notts County, who have netted 45 goals this season, but they allowed 10 goals in their last four matches and have conceded the fourth most goals in the league so far (45).
For all their recent struggles, Luke Williams's men currently sit sixth in the League Two table with 36 points from 23 matches, two points above eighth-placed Accrington Stanley just outside the playoffs places.
Elsewhere, Doncaster Rovers were denied an early Christmas present as they were beaten 3-1 by Bradford City when the sides met at the Eco-Power Stadium last Friday.
Joe Ironside put the hosts ahead inside the opening seven minutes but a brace from Andy Cook and Tyler Smith's 43rd-minute strike saw the Bantams come from behind to claim all three points.
This followed a 5-0 humbling at home against Morecambe on December 16 and means the Rovers have now failed to win five of their last six league matches, losing four and picking up one draw since the start of November.
With 24 points from 22 matches, Grant McCann's side are currently 20th in the league standings, level on points with Grimsby Town and Tranmere Rovers, and eight points above the relegation zone.
While Doncaster will head into Boxing Day looking to find their feet, their form on the road offers little optimism as they have picked up the fourth-fewest points away from home this season (7).
Notts County League Two form:
Notts County form (all competitions):
Doncaster Rovers League Two form:
Doncaster Rovers form (all competitions):
Advert - content below:
Team News
Notts County remain without Albanian defender Geraldo Bajrami, who continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines after coming off injured in August's game against Lincoln City.
He is joined in the club's injury table by 28-year-old midfielder Matt Palmer, who is set to sit out his 11th straight game after picking up an injury in October.
Fellow Englishman Cedwyn Scott will also play no part in Tuesday's game as he continues his long road to full fitness after picking up a severe injury back in August.
Doncaster will also be without several key players down the spine of the team, including the likes of George Miller, Jon Taylor and Richard Wood, who have all been ruled out through injuries.
Scottish defender James Maxwell has also missed the last four matches and is out of contention for the visitors while Zain Westbrooke picked up an injury in November's 3-1 victory over Colchester United.
Notts County possible starting lineup:
Stone; Cameron, Baldwin, Brindley; Jones, Bostock, Austin, Nemane; McGoldrick, Crowley, Langstaff
Doncaster Rovers possible starting lineup:
Lawlor; Bailey, Olowu, Anderson; Nixon, Close, Rowe, Biggins, Senior; Ironside, Fael
We say: Notts County 2-1 Doncaster Rovers
Notts County and Doncaster Rovers have had a contrasting first half of the season, with the Rovers scrambling for points at the bottom end of the table. While Williams's men have suffered a drop-off in form in recent weeks, they boast the firepower needed to turn things around against Tuesday's visitors and we are tipping them to come out on top.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a home win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home Win:data
ID:532140:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect14800:
Previews by email
Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!