The Iron host Rochdale on Boxing Day looking to extend their unbeaten run to nine matches and also secure back-to-back home wins.
Hakeeb Adelakun’s last gasp strike secured a point at Bradford on Saturday and means that United go into the festive period in 18th place.Rochdale have enjoyed a good campaign so far and find themselves in 6th place, just inside the League One play-offs, although they have only won one in their last five league matches.
Keith Hill’s side have won six times on the road this season so will come to Glanford Park in high spirits, with striker Ian Henderson also in good form finding the net 10 times this season.
Mark Robins has a strong squad to pick from for the visit of Rochdale, but may look to rotate his side ahead of two games in three days.
The Iron will be boosted by the recent return of Niall Canavan, who had been out since the end of September, providing another option for Robins at the back.
It will be a welcome headache for the Scunthorpe boss, with Hakeeb Adelakun also pushing for a start after his contribution from the bench at Bradford on Saturday.
Rochdale will be no strangers to United, with The Dale promoted alongside The Iron from League Two last season, finishing in third place.
Scunthorpe got the better of the visitors on both occasions, securing a 3-0 win at Glanford Park on New Year’s Day and a 4-0 win at Spotland earlier last season.
A Dave Syers goal and a Sam Winnall brace proved the difference at Glanford Park last time, with Michael Rose dismissed for Rochdale with 10 minutes remaining.
The Iron’s last defeat to Rochdale at Glanford Park came in 1999, with United only losing one of their last ten matches against The Dale.
Out of a total of 92 matches played between the two sides, Scunthorpe have a better record than their visitors, winning 38, drawing 23 and only losing 31.
Ahead of the game, see our article on the matchday officials, as well as the betting preview, picking the best odds from the league’s official sponsor, Sky Bet.
If you cannot make it to Glanford Park to see if the Iron can continue their rise up Sky Bet League One, keep track of the action by tuning into the club’s official social media channels or the official website, with live updates available from kick-off.