We won 28-26 in the Challenge cup. I wonder which team may have improved most since then?

Oldham have beaten Skolars, N Wales and Rochdale in the league.

It'll be disappointing if we don't win but I suspect it won't be easy.

Looking forward to it...

rlhttps://www.doncasterrugbyleague.co.uk/article/1403/match-preview-|-dons-v-oldhamrl

Watched their highlights of the demolition job they did on Rochdale, it was impressive. They have pace and like to play wide. They are welcoming back at least 3 who didn't play in the cup tie and then there is the unknown factor of the dual reg with Wigan and their players. If we come out of this encounter with a win we will do well IMO.

Its an early battle for the second place slot.

I seem to recall their fans thinking they'd get a drubbing in the cup match due to having players out.

If they are a few steps ahead of that now, then we could be in for a tough game.

I agree, Wilf, this could be part one of the tussle for second place.

Both teams had a number of key players missing last time so I am not taking a lot from that, this is a big game though

Oh heck, the Wigan influence....

From the Oldham website:

FORMER Super League winner Iain Thornley is in Stuart Littler’s 21-man squad to face Doncaster this Sunday at the Eco Power Stadium, 3pm kick off.

The 31-year-old centre arrives at Oldham on dual-registration from Warriors as Logan Astley, Jacob Douglas, Alex Sutton and Harvey Wilson all depart the squad this week.

Thornley was part of the Wigan 13 that defeated Huddersfield 16-14 to win the Challenge Cup last year.

He has huge swathes of experience having won the Super League and Challenge Cup double with Wigan in 2013 and made over 100 top flight appearances playing for clubs such as Catalans Dragons, Hull KR, Salford and Leigh.

Head coach Littler is also boosted by the return of Gregg McNally who is back in the squad after missing out the 56-16 win over Rochdale last Sunday.

Prop Bob Morgan is included in the squad for the first time since signing from Almondbury Spartans on amateur forms last month and Sam Bardsley is also included.

Said Littler:

“We’ve got some big players back playing with us and we’re in a stronger position since the last time we played them in the Challenge Cup.

“It’s unbeaten against unbeaten, so someone will have to forfeit their 100% record and we’re excited for the challenge on Sunday.”

Highlights of the Oldham v Rochdale gamehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v

I'd like to think our defence will be a bit more resiliant but they're likely to pose some serious questions.

Patrick Ah Van seems to play the first half on the wing these days and then move into the middle. He did that in the cup match against us.

Thinking about it... our forwards have got to get on top. If we allow them to get quick play-the-balls, they'll open us up out wide. Our forwards have looked more resilient this year than last so it'll be a good test of quite how good we are.

Squad for Sundayhttps://www.doncasterrugbyleague.co.uk/article/1406/news-|-squad-named-for-oldham-clash-rl

Travis Corion is missing.

Travis is on a concussion break

Is that like a City break but you get to see two of everything.

The new Keighley, influx of new money, plenty of optimism around and the fans that thought they would struggle now going for the promotion vibe. Good luck to them.

Bet365 ...

Dons -6 10/11
Oldham +6 10/11
Handicap Draw 16/1

Skybet ...

Dons -4 10/11
Oldham +4 10/11
Handicap Draw 16/1

Has any Wanderer money been invested?

Based on the above the bookies seem to think both teams are of equal standing - just the home advantage of 4 points making the difference.

This is probably a vital game because should Oldham win, we'd probably have to win at their place to get back on a level footing with them. If we can win, the pressure will shift the other way.

I really don't know which way today will go...

A tough game to call.

Bet365 are also offering a 2-Way Betting market (ruling out a Handicap Draw) with the Handicap being Oldham +6.5. Purely from a punting point of view, that looks to be where the value is.

HT Dons 16 Oldham 4