Football Bet of the Day: Doncaster can inflict first defeat on the Gills

There is a fascinating encounter in store this weekend as Doncaster Rovers host Gillingham in League 2 on Saturday (15:00, Sky Sports+). The Gills lead the way in the fourth tier with 10 points from their opening four matches, while Donny are fifth with nine points.

Both teams will have promotion aspirations this season and this is a clash where neither can afford to drop points. It is from this match that I have selected my football bet of the day, which you can find below.

Doncaster vs Gillingham Odds

*Please click on the link above to be taken to the main Doncaster vs Gillingham page on betfred.com (or app) for all the live betting prices on this match.

Grant McCann's Doncaster Rovers have started the 2024/25 campaign like they ended the previous one, strongly. After their incredible 10-game winning run towards the end of last season carried them from 20th to the play-offs, the expectations have rightly been raised this time around.

The Gills are the only side in League 2 yet to lose a game this term and I think that will soon change at the weekend. They are heading to the Keepmoat Stadium which has been transformed into a fortress, with Doncaster winning 10 of their last 11 league matches there.

Their home form is going to be crucial if they are to be in the promotion picture come May, and I think McCann has made them so tough to beat when teams come visiting. Gillingham have been a tough nut to crack so far under Mark Bonner, conceding just one goal in four matches.

So this in itself will present Donny with a different kind of challenge at home, but one that McCann and his players will be relishing. Why? They have scored 13 goals in their last five matches at the Keepmoat, and they have a lot of quality in attacking areas.

Football Odds

Winger Luke Molyneux is the leading marksman in the fourth tier so far with four goals in as many games, and he is going to be crucial for Rovers this season as they aim to go one step further than last year.

Veteran Billy Sharp, who is back at the club for his fourth spell, is showing that there is still life in the old dog yet as he has two goals to his name already at the age of 38. These two players were assisted in attack at Port Vale last week by Harry Clifton and Jordan Gibson, who have also opened their League 2 accounts for the campaign, and this firepower will be key against the league leaders.

Gillingham's defensive record has been most impressive, but they will know of the threat Doncaster pose, yet they will still provide a home test that McCann's men will be hoping to pass. Seven of Rovers' last eight matches in the league have seen at least four goals scored, which bodes well for this match and my selection, but I have gone for over 2.5 because Gillingham have been organised brilliantly at the back.

Doncaster certainly have the quality to unlock a stubborn defence, but the Gills will make them work for the three points. Nonetheless, Rovers' home form is too impressive to ignore, which is why I am backing them to inflict a first defeat on the league leaders.

Offers

Acca Flex: Place a pre-match 5+ leg Football accumulator and get a CASH bonus up to 100% if all of your selections win or your money back as CASH if one leg lets you down.

You can read all our latest Football Bets of the Day at our dedicated Betfred Insights content hub.