Fleetwood Town host potential play-off rivals Doncaster Rovers at Highbury Stadium on Saturday. In a game that could make or break Fleetwood's season, I believe that the defensive texture and stamina will be on top of the home teams mind.
Fleetwood Town
The Fishermen are currently at 11th spot, 6 points adrift a play-off spot. Joey Barton's men have pretty much all the credentials for promotion and not losing this particular game will be key to the rest of the season.
Statistics
Fleetwood create slightly above the league average of shots and shots on target per game. However, the attacking game have hit a slump in recent games, as we'll look into a bit further down the line.
Only 4 teams have conceded fewer shots than Fleetwood so far in League One this season, Fleetwood conceding on avarege 10.14 shots per game. No other team have conceded fewer shots on target than Fleetwood so far in League One this season, Fleetwood conceding on avarege 3.05 shots per game.
Looking at home games specifically, the numbers look even more rigid. When at Highbury Stadium, Fleetwood concede on average 9.25 shots and 2.08 shots on target so far this season.
There’s been on average 2.21 goals scored in Fleetwood's home games this season.
There’s been on average 1.50 goals scored in Fleetwood's last 4 home games.
57% of Fleetwood's home games this season have added up less than 2.50 goals.
43% of Fleetwood's home games this season have seen the scoreline 0-0 at half-time.
Form
Looking at the last 4 games, Fleetwood have created on average 2.50 shots on target per game - one of the worst attacking numbers in the league right now. In the same time span, the Lancashire club have conceded on average 2.25 shots on target per game - the best defensive numbers in the league right now.
Doncaster Rovers
Darren Moore's squad reside in 9th place, 4 points off a play-off spot. The old Jamaican defender is working some impressing voodoo: only Sunderland conceding fewer goals than Donny so far this season.
Statistics
Doncaster create above the league average of shots and shots on target per game. However, their attacking game have also hit a slump in recent games, as we'll explore in just a moment.
Doncaster concede below the league average of shots and shots on target per game.
There’s been on average 2.31 goals scored in Doncaster's away games this season.
There’s been on average 2.00 goals scored in Doncaster's last 4 away games.
60% of Doncaster's away games this season have added up less than 2.50 goals.
50% of Doncaster's away games this season have seen the score line 0-0 at half-time.
Form
Looking at the last 4 games, Doncaster have created on average 3.50 shots on target per game - one of the worst attacking numbers in the league right now. In the same time span, the South Yorkshire outfit have conceded on average 2.75 shots on target per game - one of the best defensive numbers in the league right now.
Check out more League One stats here!
Conclusion & Betting Tips
Both teams are still in the race for a play-off spot. However, a Doncaster win would open up a 5-point gap between the two clubs and a possible 9-point gap between Fleetwood and the play-off spots. I think the no. 1 priority for the home team in this game is simply not losing; the Trawlermen's best weapon being a stout defence, refined by the former defensive midfielder turned manager.
Both teams have also displayed a below par attacking game in recent weeks while excelling in the arts of keeping shots against and shots on target against to a minimum.
I've found no less than three bets that tickle my fancy:
Betting Tip: Under 2.50 Goals.
Stake at 2.5/10 units.
Betting Tip: Under 2.25 Goals.
Stake at 2.5/10 units.
Betting Tip: Under 0.50 Goals (1st Half).
Stake at 2.5/10 units.
Check out more odds on Fleetwood Town - Doncaster Rovers here!
