After a three-year exile in League Two, Doncaster Rovers make their return to League One on Saturday afternoon as they welcome Exeter City to the Eco-Power Stadium.
After suffering playoff heartache in the season before, losing to Crewe on penalties in the semi-finals, Doncaster ensured they didn’t have to go through that again, as they clinched the League Two title.
Grant McCann – who is in his second spell as Doncaster boss – guided his side to a 10-game unbeaten run at the end of the season, winning each of their last four, meaning they finished four points clear of second-placed Port Vale.
Exeter extended their stay in the English third tier to a fourth season, as they comfortably finished in mid-table last term, 10 points clear of the drop zone.
Ex-Hibs and Celtic defender Gary Caldwell saw his side lose just four of their final 15 EFL matches, although two of those came in their final two away contests of the season.
How the bookies view it: Donny favourites
Doncaster are favourites to mark their return to League One with a victory, with BoyleSports pricing them up at 4/5.
The Grecians are 3/1 outsiders to leave Yorkshire with all three points, whilst the draw is 5/2.
Head to head: First meeting in eight years
These two clubs have not crossed paths since the 2016/17 League Two season, in which the away team won 1-3 on both occasions.
Players to watch: More Molyneux magic?
Luke Molyneux proved to be Doncaster’s talisman once again last season, with the ex-Hartlepool man slamming in 16 goals in League Two. Boylesports have him at 9/4 to score anytime, and that appeals to me.
Veteran forward Billy Sharp is still in Doncaster’s ranks after scoring eight goals in League Two last term. The ex-blade has scored in two of his last three matches at home last season, and is favourite to score here, with BoyleSports pricing him at 15/8.
Predicted line-ups:
Luke Molyneux and Billy Sharp are likely to start in the forward areas for Doncaster, whilst ex-Dundee United winger Glenn Middleton will hope to join them.
Sonny Cox scored the only goal in Exeter’s recent friendly win against Swansea City, and he is expected to lead the line here.
Doncaster Rovers: Lo-Tutala, Sterry, O’Riordan, Grehan, Senior, Broadbent, Bailey, Gotts, Middleton, Molyneux, Sharp
Exeter City: Whitworth, Niskanen, Sweeney, Fitzwater, Turns, Jones, Brierley, Aitchinson, Cole, Cox
Anything else catch the eye?
Despite playing in a division below last season, Doncaster come into this clash as 4/5 favourites, and I’m keen to get Grant McCann’s hosts on side.
As alluded to, Donny finished the season amid a 10-game unbeaten run, winning each of their last four, and will look to continue that good run against an Exeter side that are third favourites to finish in the relegation zone.
Doncaster fired in multiple goals in six of their final seven EFL contests at home last season, and the 20/23 on offer at BoyleSports for them to bag another double also appeals to me here.
GambleAware