Doncaster take on the visitors Crystal Palace in the 1/16-finals of English FA Cup. The match will be played on Sunday, February 9th at Eco-Power Stadium (Doncaster).
Doncaster Rovers reached their peak about fifteen years ago when they climbed up to the Championship. However, the following years saw a steady decline, and at one point, the team came dangerously close to relegation from the Fourth Division. Last season showed signs of progress, as they finished fifth and secured a spot in the playoffs. Although they ultimately fell short, this season under Grant McCann, the team has continued to improve. January was particularly strong, with consecutive wins over Gillingham, Harrogate, Barrow, and MK Dons. However, in the last round, they suffered a heavy 2-5 defeat to Chesterfield. Despite that, their cup run has been impressive, with away victories over Barrow, Kettering, and Hull City. It was only against Hull, a Championship side, that they needed penalties to advance. Still, the recent thrashing by Chesterfield raises concerns about Doncaster's defensive resilience heading into this clash.
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Crystal Palace has improved as the season progressed. Crystal Palace has been a steady presence in the Premier League for quite some time. Much of that stability was thanks to the consistent and methodical work of Roy Hodgson. However, Hodgson wasn’t able to push the team towards more ambitious goals. After parting ways with him twice, Patrick Vieira disappointed as his successor, but Oliver Glasner started on a promising note, finishing his first season in charge with the team in 10th place. That momentum didn’t carry into the new campaign, though. They opened the season with three draws and five defeats, and even after a win against Tottenham, they managed only three points from their next four league matches. However, things turned around in the winter, with crucial away victories over Leicester and West Ham in January, alongside a cup win against Stockport. They did suffer a home loss to Brentford, but bounced back with an impressive 2-0 win over Manchester United. Their recent form, especially the win against Manchester United, highlights their ability to handle lower-league opposition like Doncaster.
Since 2012, the clubs have played in different divisions. Six years ago, also in February during a cup match, the London visitors defeated Doncaster Rovers 2-0 on their home turf. The difference in class between these teams is simply too significant. Back the visitors to win with a -1.5 goal handicap.
Prediction for the match: Crystal Palace to win with -1.5 handicap.
