Preview of games played on December 26th involving the top 7 teams in L2

[les@donr]

Here's a Preview of top of the table games for Boxing Day.

I have to start with the match of the Day, which of course is Wallsall vs Rovers. Keeping it very simple, all stats point to a home win, the evidence includes 4 wins in a row and unbeaten in 11 games. However, if Wallsall start to believe they are invisible, this is where pride comes before the fall. Their on-loan striker Nathan Lowe is doing so well that it is very possible that he will return to his parent club Stoke in January, if this happens the wheels might start to fall off the Wallsall promotion wagon. However, our away form isn't too shabby, P10, W5, D2 L3. Wallsall have an impressive home record is P10, W7, D2, L1. We have won a game at their place in the last six away games, it can be done again. We need to narrow the points difference to 3. Realistically this is a home win. But I'm ignoring my head, and going with my heart, and the best result for Rovers, is a Rovers win, and I believe this will happen. If it does, it will be a season defining match.

Onto the rest!

Bradford vs Port Vale: The form of these two is very similar in the last five games. So this could be a tight game. Port Vale have a good away record at Bradford. Best result for Rovers would be a Bradford win. Realistically this will be a Port Vale win.

Cheltenham vs Crewe: The League form for these two teams for the last four games is identical W1, D3, Crewe don't have a good record at Cheltenham, in last five away at Cheltenham, W1, D2,L2. Best result for Rovers would be a Cheltenham win. Realistically this will be a draw.

Fleetwood vs Chesterfield: Fleetwood have just appointed Pete Wild as their new manager, did well at Barrow. So the team will be out to impress him, will it change the out come of the game, I'm not too sure. Fleetwood have failed to win any of their last five league games, in contrast Chesterfield have won three out of four league games, the other being a defeat. Chesterfield have lost just one of their five league games at Fleetwood. Others were W2, D2. Best result for Rovers would be a Fleetwood win. Realistically this is a Chesterfield win.

Wimbledon vs Swindon: Surprisingly, the League form of these two sides is similar, Wimbledon W2, D1, L1. Swindon W2, L2. For this fixture's history their is a perfect match of W3, D4 L3.Swindon have lost two of their five away games at Wimbledon, others were W1, D2.Best result for Rovers would be a Swindon win. Realistically this is a Wimbledon win.

MK Dons vs Notts: Both have not so good recent form, both losing two of their last four league games. However, MK Dons do have a very good league record against Notts County losing 7 of their nine away games at MK Dons, and MK dons have only lost one of their eighteen league games against Notts County.
Best result for Rovers would be a Draw. Realistically this is a MK Dons win.

What is your opinion about these games?

Merry Christmas to every Rovers fan. Keep the faith.

[les@donr]

Bump

[ncRover]

Next 2 games for us are tough.

Tricky game for Crewe today, I think Cheltenham are turning in to a bit of a surprise package. Port Vale struggling of late too.

Can see Wimbledon and Chesterfield soon replacing Crewe and Vale in the autos looking at their upcoming fixtures.

Salford improving too, will soon be in the picture. Adelakun is back for them which will give them a big boost.

[les@donr]

The only game I got badly wrong was ours, must stick with head over heart.

[drfchound]

Thankfully, once again the majority of results didn’t do us much harm.