Bristol City Weary Of Doncaster`s Away Form

League One table toppers Bristol City will look to extend their sensational run of five matches without a defeat in all competitions with a victory in their FA Cup replay against Doncaster Rovers tomorrow. The sides` initial game played out as a one-all draw with the winner of the reverse fixture securing their place in the fourth round draw and a game against Premier League opponents in either West Han United or Everton.

Doncaster hosted City on Saturday 3rd and it was all going well for Rovers as Luke McCullough put the Yorkshire club one goal to the good five minutes after the break. Paul Dickov`s men held on to the advantage for 25 minutes until Matt Smith`s on-target header earned his side a replay at Ashton Gate.

The 13 places between the league leaders and 14th placed Doncaster is one reason for the home team being the strong 20/23 (Betvictor) favourites. Another explanation for such optimism in Steve Cotterill`s men is that they have followed up this tie by scoring four goals in their last two matches.

Smith hit the back of the net four times to earn his team a 4-2 victory over Gillingham in the first leg of the Johnstone`s Paint Trophy Southern area final. Four days later, Smith was on the scoresheet once again as the Robins secured a 4-0 win over play-off hopefuls Notts County in the league.

His ninth goal in five games, 25-year-old Smith scored the second goal of the first half as Joe Bryan hit the back of the net with the match just eight minutes old. Jay Emmanuel-Thomas added a third with 60 minutes on the clock before Derrick Williams put the icing on the cake for the promotion favourites.

With a third encounter in ten days, is it too much to ask for City to bag another four goals? Coral expect so and have priced the home team scoring a quad at 9/1. On-fire former Leeds striker Smith is 17/10 to continue his good streak of form in front of goal at any time but can also be backed at 8/1 (Betvictor) to hit at least two past the Donny `keeper.

This is one of Doncasters key issues. First-choice goalkeeper Sam Johnstone has been recalled by his parent club Manchester United ahead of a second loan move to Rovers` League One rivals Preston North End. As a result of this badly timed transfer, Dickov will have to name 21-year-old Slovakian Marko Marosi as his replacement. Fifteen to four (bet365) says that the away side can progress through to the fourth round whilst a draw after 90 minutse is currently priced at 13/5 with a wide selection of bookmakers.

The Dons have played just one match since their FA Cup deadlock, Saturday`s away fixture at Oldham, with the Yorkshire boys able to fight their way back from 2-0 down to secure a hard-fought 2-2 draw.

Jabo Ibehre scored the only goal of the first half for Athletic before George Elokobi doubled the deficit just nine minutes after the break. Rovers failed to give in and eventually broke down the Latics` well-organised defence ten minutes from time with Nathan Tyson`s close range poke. A superb effort from James Coppinger saw the spoils shared a minute into time added on.

This Coppinger goal has extended the Rovers` outstanding undefeated run on the road to ten games in all competitions and will be a much needed boost ahead of their Robins encounter.

In team news, injured forwards Aaron Wilbraham and Kieran Agard will remain sidelined for the home side whilst Dean Furman misses out for Donny, instead choosing to take part in the African Cup of Nations with South Africa.

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12/01/2015     © Frixo 2026