Stevenage and Rotherham meet on the second weekend of League One, with both clubs looking to build on winning starts to the season.
Alex Revell’s side caused something of an upset in their first game, by going away to Blackpool and winning a cracking match 3-2. Despite falling behind early on, Stevenage came roaring back with three unanswered goals, including a brace from Jamie Reid. However, they had to survive some nervy moments late on, after the hosts grabbed a goal back in the 79th minute.
Given The Tangerines were considered among the favourites for a top-six finish in this league, it was certainly a real statement from Stevenage in their opening fixture, and it was a third straight victory including a couple of friendlies.
Rotherham, by contrast, went into the new season on the back of two heavy defeats in their final pre-season games. They were hammered 5-0 by Sheffield United and 4-1 by League Two Accrington Stanley, but Matt Hamshaw’s men delivered when it mattered, with a brace from Sam Nombe securing a 2-1 home league victory over Port Vale.
How the bookies view it: Hosts the odds-on favourites
The bookies are expecting Stevenage to take care of business here. They are priced at 3/4 to win the game with Boylesports, while you can back the draw at 5/2. If you fancy the Millers to make it two wins from two, they’re priced 10/3 to leave with maximum points.
Recent head-to-head: History favours the Millers
Rotherham had won four on the bounce against this opposition, before the sides played out a 1-1 draw in the most recent meeting at the Lamex Stadium which was as recently as April. You have to go back to 2011 and a League Two encounter for the last Stevenage victory which came by a 3-0 margin.
Players to watch: Reid to strike again?
After his opening day heroics by the seaside, Stevenage will be hoping that Reid can deliver the goods again back on home soil. The 31-year-old only netted eight times last term, but his 18-goal return in the 2023/24 season suggests he is capable of hot streaks in front of goal. He’s available at 13/8 to score anytime in this one.
Predicted Lineups
Major changes are not expected from the hosts after their winning start, but they are expected to be missing Jake Young again due to injury.
Zac Jules serves a suspension for Rotherham as a result of an opening day red card. Ben Hatton, Sean Raggett and Ciaran McGuckin are among their injury absentees.
Stevenage: Marschall, Butler, Piergianni, Goode, Wildin, White, Houghton, Campbell, Kemp, Roberts, Reid.
Rotherham: Dawson, Rafferty, Martha, Agbaire, Hall, Kelly, James, Powell, Gore, Hugill, Nombe.
Anything else catch the eye?
Stevenage have been a good watch of late, with five of their last six matches seeing both teams score. That’s including friendlies, but after their first league match served up five goals, odds of 1/1 for both teams to score in this game look generous with Boylesports.
The Boro have fired in 13 goals in their last three games, with two or more scored in friendlies against Bishop's Stortford and MK Dons, before their 3-2 win last weekend. You can back them to score over 1.5 goals in this match at 20/21.
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