Football to be the winner at the Keepmoat
Both Grant McCann and Lee Bowyer deserve huge credit for the way they have guided their respective teams this year. Now they face each other in the play-offs with a quality match-up on the cards.
Playing football the right way
These are two sides that have been a joy to behold in League One this campaign and they have accomplished more than the other two sides finishing in the play-off places if you take into account the budgets at their disposal.
Now, a lot is made of budgets, and perhaps this is tiresome but for Lee Bowyer to have fashioned one of the best footballing sides in League One on a shoe string is definitely worthy of mention. The same goes for Doncaster who have never been a club to splash the cash. They are so well run that they could comfortably refuse reported offers of up to £2m for star striker John Marquis in January.
Full of creativity
If you look at the creative qualities of both sides you can start to build a picture of why they are both so entertaining to watch. Doncaster legend, James Coppinger, has a wealth of experience and contributed massively throughout the campaign finishing with a joint division high, 15 assists.
Ali Crawford has been quietly brilliant and Ben Whiteman has protected the back four with consistently assured performances. Further forward Mallik Wilks is one to watch completing the third most dribbles in League One while contributing 14 goals.
Charlton are blessed with a group of young midfielders that would be the envy of most sides in the third tier with Joe Aribo getting better every game. Lee Bowyer, a midfielder of some quality himself as a player, is clearly coaching the likes of Albie Morgan, George Lapslie and West Ham loanee Josh Cullen to produce some scintillating displays in the centre that have been complimented by the shrewd acquisition of Johnny Williams.
One thing this game will be is fluid and the managers can take great credit in that.
Fun facts
This will be Doncaster’s second appearance in the play-offs in the EFL after winning promotion from League One in 2007-08.
Charlton’s last appearance was just a season ago when they were defeated by Shrewsbury in the semi-finals.
Doncaster are unbeaten in their last three home meetings with Charlton in all competitions, last losing to them on home soil in the Championship in 2008-09.
Both sides have a striker to finish with over 20 goals for the campaign with John Marquis and Lyle Taylor finishing on 21, only Luton’s James Collins had more in the third tier this season.
Doncaster v Charlton Betting tip
Given their style of play and the creativity both sides have in abundance it is likely that there will be a lot of chances in this one. Therefore, backing this match to finish with over 2.5 goals at odds of 5/4 should certainly be under your consideration. Enjoy the game!
