Doncaster Rovers will take on Port Vale on Tuesday, 24 March, as the visitors play their first of three games in hand on the rest of the division.
Port Vale come into the match at the very bottom of League One, but is their position a false one? Vale have played three fewer matches than the majority of the division, and if they can win all three of these games, they will move to within two points of safety.
Doncaster Rovers, on the other hand, are now playing for nothing other than professional pride as they find themselves too far away from both the top six and the playoffs.
Before taking a look at the rest of today's betting tips, check out our Doncaster vs Port Vale prediction below.
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Doncaster Rovers vs Port Vale key stats
- Doncaster are unbeaten across their last four matches in all competitions.
- Port Vale have won just one of their last four matches in all competitions.
- Fewer than three goals have been scored in three of Doncaster's last four matches.
Doncaster Rovers vs Port Vale preview: Hosts to get win
| Doncaster Rovers | vs | Port Vale |
|---|---|---|
| 17th | Position | 24th |
| 47 | Points | 31 |
| 41 | Goals For | 29 |
| 59 | Goals Against | 49 |
| 16 | Clean Sheets | 9 |
| 21st | Home Rank | 24th |
| 10th | Away Rank | 20th |
At the beginning of the month, Doncaster Rovers were flirting with relegation back to League Two after a string of poor results.
However, a four-match unbeaten run, which has seen them pick up eight points from a possible 12, has seen their chances of relegation evaporate, much to the delight of the club's fans and manager Grant McCann.
Last weekend, Donny picked up their sixth away win on the road, defeating Barnsley by a goal to nil courtesy of an Elliot Lee penalty. If they can repeat that result here, they will make it five League One games without defeat for the first time this season.
Port Vale have lost eight of their last 11 away league outings.
On Wednesday night, McCann will try to stick to the same starting XI where possible. There are doubts over the availability of Billy Sharp and Luke Molyneux after the pair missed the victory over Barnsley.
As far as Port Vale are concerned, it really is now a case of do or die.
The club have been banking on their games in hand for some time now, as if they are some sort of get out of jail free card, and the time has now come for them to show their hand.
Doncaster are looking to complete their first league double over Port Vale since the 2007-08 season.
Victory over Bolton at the weekend has given them a much-needed boost ahead of this clash. Youngster George Hall was the match-winner, and there is an acceptance that he will remain a League One player next season, even if Port Vale go down.
Manager Jon Brady, who only took charge in January, is set to be without Ben Heneghan, Cameron Humphreys and George Byers on Tuesday night.
Doncaster Rovers vs Port Vale form guide & betting tips
| Doncaster Rovers | vs | Port Vale |
|---|---|---|
| L-D-W-D-W | Form | W-L-D-L-W |
| 8 | Points | 5 |
| 7th | Form Table | 19th |
| 5 | Goals For | 4 |
| 4 | Goals Against | 6 |
Whispers predicts: Doncaster Rovers 2-0 Port Vale
Doncaster's squad not only possesses more quality than Port Vale's, but it is also deeper, which will help with the quick turnaround this week. A home victory has been priced at 4/6 by Bet365.
Both teams were involved in 1-0 results at the weekend, and neither side possesses much quality going forward. Under 2.5 goals has been priced at 9/10.
Only one side has scored in five of Port Vale's last six matches. Both teams to score (no) has been priced at 23/20 to score anytime with Bet365.
> Both teams to score - No at 23/20 | Likelihood: Possible
> Result - Doncaster Rovers to win at 4/6 | Likelihood: Probable
> Total goals - Undder 2.5 at 9/10| Likelihood: Probable