Doncaster Rovers chief Grant McCann hopes swelled crowd can "roar" his side on against Cardiff City

The two teams meet at the Eco-Power Stadium on Saturday with a five-figure attendance expected after a ticket initiative by Rovers, reducing adult prices across the ground to just £12. It follows the same arrangement that the Bluebirds carried out in the reverse tie in Wales just before Christmas.

Rovers' crowds at home have averaged out at just shy of 9,000 in the league this year, with four games hitting the five-figure mark - the highest turn-out was 11,457 for the derby with Rotherham last August. McCann hopes a sizeable crowd can cheer his side on as they look to post another good performance against one of the division's big-hitters. His side were cruelly beaten 4-3 at Cardiff in the final minute last December.

"We hope there's a good buzz in the stadium and hopefully they can roar us to victory," said the Northern Irishman. "We've had some good games against teams at the top. Bolton at home, and Lincoln away are examples.

"We've gone toe-to-toe with a lot of them. This is another good game and a team that's probably where everyone expected them to be. I think it'll be a good game with two similar types of styles in terms of how we both play. They've got quality throughout their team and a good young manager.

"We probably should have scored more than our three that day (reverse tie). It probably shows you the level of where Cardiff are, in terms of if you don't score then they can punish you. I think it'll be about whoever takes their chances will win. But the boys are in a good place and feel ready for whatever challenge comes their way."

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MATCH PREVIEW

Doncaster Rovers v Cardiff City, Saturday, 3pm

One to watch

Omari Kellyman – In the absence of top scorer Yousef Salech, who is out injured with a neck-related concern, Kellyman has stepped up in recent games to play centre-forward.

On loan from Premier League giants Chelsea, the attacking midfielder has found his scoring boots this term with seven to his tally so far. One of those came against Rovers back in December's topsy-turvy 4-3 win in Wales.

Form guide

Rovers: WLWLWW

Cardiff: WDWWWL

The Bluebirds suffered their first league defeat of 2026 last weekend when they were comprehensively swatted aside 5-2 by Plymouth Argyle in an eye-raising result down in Devon. You have to go back to before Christmas for the last time Cardiff had come away from a league game empty-handed.

Recent meetings

December 2025 - Cardiff 4-3 Doncaster (LEAGUE ONE)

January 2012 - Doncaster 0-0 Cardiff (CHAMPIONSHIP)

September 2011 - Cardiff 2-0 Doncaster (CHAMPIONSHIP)

April 2011 - Doncaster 1-3 Cardiff (CHAMPIONSHIP)

August 2010 - Cardiff 4-0 Doncaster (CHAMPIONSHIP)

2009 was the last time Rovers secured a win over Cardiff.

Last clash

Cardiff 4-3 Rovers (December 2025)

A bonkers game in the Welsh capital saw Rovers suffer a gut-wrenching defeat at the death, by the odd goal in seven.

Owen Bailey put the visitors in front early doors only for Kellyman and Cian Ashford to propel the hosts in front. Brandon Hanlan then levelled in style just before half-time to make it 2-2. But the hosts hit back as Salech scored just after the break. Harry Clifton responded with a Rovers third but just as it looked destined to be a stalemate, Joel Bagan smashed home a late, late winner. McCann summed it up post-match, saying: "I'm feeling sick and I'm feeling for everybody."

Opposition boss

Brian Barry-Murphy – The Irishman is in his second, senior managerial role having previously bossed Rochdale between March 2019 and June 2021. He then had a spell coaching in the academy at Man City before joining Leicester as a first team coach. He took up the Cardiff gig last summer.

Odds

Skybet chalk Rovers up at 5/2 to get the better of the league leaders, whilst the visitors are priced 17/20 to seal the double. A draw comes in at 12/5.

Opposition view

Click here to read Glen Williams’ verdict on the Bluebirds ahead of Saturday’s game.