Saturday Match File ... a focus on Rotherham United's opening-day opponents, Cheltenham Town

Rotherham United kick off their League Two campaign at Cheltenham Town tomorrow.

The fourth tier is a new experience for the Millers as they haven’t been at that level since 2013.

Cheltenham finished 18th last term while Rotherham were being relegated from the division above.

One to watch

Striker George Miller joined Cheltenham in 2024 after two seasons with Doncaster Rovers and since then he has hit the target 19 times in 79 outings. The Bolton-born 27-year-old was the Robins' scorer in their Carabao Cup loss to Charlton Athletic last Saturday. His previous clubs include Barnsley. The Tykes paid Middlesbrough £200,000 for his services in 2019, but he failed to break into their Championship side.

Form guide

Cheltenham: WWLLL

(End of last season)

The Robins were beaten 3-1 on home soil by Charlton Athletic in the Carabao Cup last weekend.

Millers: DWLWDL

(Pre-season and Carabao Cup)

Past meetings

Nov 2 2024, FA Cup: Millers 1 Cheltenham 3

Mallik Wilks

Jan 22 2022: Millers 1 Cheltenham 0

Michael Smith

October 2 2021: Cheltenham 0 Millers 2

Rarmarni Edmonds-Green, Will Grigg

Mar 16 2013, League Two: Cheltenham 3 Millers 0

Nov 17 2012, League Two: Millers 4 Cheltenham 2

Daniel Nardiello 2, Ben Pringle, Lee Frecklingon

Apr 9 2012, League Two: Millers 1 Cheltenham 0

Ryan Cresswell

Dec 30 2011, League Two: Cheltenham 1 Millers 0

Last clash

League One Rotherham were humbled on home soil by opponents from the division below at AESSEAL New York Stadium during the managerial reign of Steve Evans in November 2024. Two goals from on-loan Joel Colwill and one from Ethon Archer did the damage. Mallik Wilks had made it 1-1 for the Millers during the first half.

Opposition boss

The Robins are managed by experienced boss Steve Cotterill who has had spells in charge at, among other clubs, Burnley, Portsmouth, Nottingham Forest, Bristol City and Shrewsbury Town. The former striker is in his second stint in the Whaddon Road hot-seat, having previously been at the helm between 1997 and 2002. Now aged 62, he led the Robins from non-league football into the EFL in 1999. He has a 2010 League Two promotion with Notts County and a 2015 League One promotion with Bristol City on his CV, although he was boss of Forest Green Rovers when they were relegated to the National League in 2014.

Man in the middle

Harry Wager is in only his second season on the EFL list, having refereed in League Two for the first time last December. In the 2025/26 campaign, he issued 80 yellows cards and two red in 19 matches across the fourth tier, National League and League One. From Tunbridge Wells, he came through the refereeing ranks in Kent. Saturday will be his first experience of the Millers. Last weekend, he took charge of Watford's 1-0 home win over Crawley Town in the Carabao Cup.

The odds

The bookmakers see little between the two teams' prospects, offering a home win at 17/10 and a Rotherham triumph at 29/20. A draw is 11/5.