Match Preview: Doncaster Rovers vs. Sheffield United

Last updated : 18 March 2010 By @blades_mad1889

doncaster rovers vs. sheffield united
The two sides drew 1-1 at Bramall Lane earlier on in the season; they met last October with James Hayter (45 minutes) taking the lead, fooling keeper Mark Bunn to score. In the second half striker Richard Cresswell (65) headed home at the far post to score his first goal for the club.

The Blades were in Championship action last Tuesday night has they entertained Blackpool; whom like United prior to the fixture where only a few points behind the top six spots. But despite the teams taking a level playing field in terms of league position it was the home side that ran out 3-0 victors.

Striker Richard Cresswell (1st minute) stabbed home following a Mark Yeates corner - it was the forward's 100th career goal. Midfielder Nick Montgomery (43) was teed up by Henri Camara to finish from the edge of the area to score his first goal since 2006/07 season; Richard Cresswell (66) added a second from close range.

Blades boss Kevin Blackwell will be without skipper Chris Morgan who will serve the last of his two match suspension having received his tenth booking of the season in the 1-1 draw with Queens Park Rangers a week ago - he will be made available for the visit to Cardiff City next Wednesday night.

Blackwell will also have to do without the services of Jamie Ward (hamstring), Ched Evans (broken collarbone), Derek Geary (ankle), Ryan France (leg) and Gary Naysmith (hamstring), however the Blades were gracious to see Lee Williamson (hamstring) and on loan Arsenal defender Kyle Bartley (illness) return to the side last Tuesday night.

Meanwhile keeper Mark Bunn has been recalled by parent club Blackburn Rovers following a shortage of shot stoppers at Ewood Park with Paul Robinson injured. A replacement keeper is expected to be signed but otherwise Ian Bennett or Mihkel Aksalu could be handed the number ones jersey at the Keepmoat this weekend.

Blades Last Line-Up (16/03/2010 vs. Blackpool): Mark Bunn,

Paul Connolly, Nyron Nosworthy, Marcel Seip, Jordan Stewart, Mark Yeates, Nick Montgomery, Stephen Quinn, Richard Cresswell, Darius Henderson, Henri Camara. Substitutes: Lee Williamson, James Harper, Ian Bennett, Jonathan Fortune, Glen Little, Andy Taylor, Kyle Bartley.

Doncaster Rovers were at London Road on Tuesday night were they faced bottom of the table Peterborough United and were destined for a draw when Gareth Roberts (67) found the net, cancelling out Charlie Lee's (55) opener - and in the final minute John Oster (90) fired home past Joe Lewis for the winner.

Rovers boss Sean O'Driscoll are without Brian Stock (back) and Jason Shackell (groin) whilst Shelton Martis (hamstring) returned to action last week and played ten minutes of their 2-1 home victory over Derby County. However Martin Woods (groin), Adam Lockwood (foot) have both returned from injury and are likely to feature against the Blades.

Rovers Last Line-Up (16/03/2010 at Peterborough United):

Neil Sulivan, Gareth Roberts, James Chambers, Sam Hird, Shelton Martis, John Oster, Martin Woods, James Coppinger, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Billy Sharp, Dean Shiels. Substitutes: James O'Connor, Jordan Mutch, John Spicer, Adam Lockwood, James Hayter, Ben Smith, Mark Wilson.

Blades-Mad Prediction: Doncaster Rovers 1-1 Sheffield United


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:: Statistics ::

For Head to Head statistics please click here.

Last 10 Games... Home & Away

2008/2009

Tue 27 Jan

Sheff. Utd.

0 - 1

Doncaster Rvs.

Championship

Tue 30 Sep

Doncaster Rvs.

0 - 2

Sheff. Utd.

Championship

1988/1989

Sun 11 Dec

Doncaster Rvs.

1 - 3

Sheff. Utd.

F.A. Cup

1982/1983

Tue 05 Apr

Doncaster Rvs.

2 - 0

Sheff. Utd.

Third Division

Mon 27 Dec

Sheff. Utd.

3 - 1

Doncaster Rvs.

Third Division

1979/1980

Tue 14 Aug

Doncaster Rvs.

3 - 1

Sheff. Utd.

League Cup

Doncaster Rovers won 4-2 on aggregate

Sat 11 Aug

Sheff. Utd.

1 - 1

Doncaster Rvs.

League Cup

1957/1958

Sat 05 Apr

Sheff. Utd.

3 - 0

Doncaster Rvs.

Second Division

Sat 12 Oct

Doncaster Rvs.

2 - 2

Sheff. Utd.

Second Division

1956/1957

Sat 06 Apr

Doncaster Rvs.

1 - 0

Sheff. Utd.

Second Division

Head to Head Statistics...

Goals

Venue

Played

Won

Drawn

Lost

For

Against

Home

10

6

3

1

21

7

Away

12

4

4

4

15

13

Total

22

10

7

5

36

20

* Statistics correct up to and including 01/08/2009