Football – England – League Two
Saturday 1st December 2012 – Kickoff: 1500hrs
Rochdale entertain lower half side York City at Spotland on Saturday afternoon as they prepare to attempt to break into the play-off pack with all three points today.
Rochdale suffered their first League Two loss in five matches when they went down 1-3 away at fourth placed Southend United last weekend, but they have a chance to bounce back with a win when they return to familiar surroundings and extend a three match unbeaten run at home.
Rochdale’s home record stands at 3-4-2 9/6 and they’ve beaten the likes of Barnet, Oxford United and Bristol Rovers as well as taking points off Northampton Town, Dagenham & Redbridge, Bradford City and Fleetwood Town. Only Aldershot Town (a meagre 3 goals) have scored fewer goals than Rochdale at home, but Dale have also conceded the fewest at home too.
Goals haven’t exactly been in abundance at Spotland so far this season but the most likely to score are leading scorer Bobby Grant (8 goals, 3 assists), midfielder Andrew Tutte and journeyman striker Dele Adebola (5 goals each) along with the creativity supplied by Jason Kennedy (6 assists) while Ashley Grimes and George Donnelly (3 goals, 2 assists each) can also be dangerous.
York City make the trip to Lancashire on the back of a five match run without a win after making a pretty solid start back in the football league. York lost just three matches in their first twelve back in League Two but since recording back-to-back wins against Dagenham and Accrington Stanley, they’ve lost two and drawn three of their next five matches with defeats against AFC Wimbledon and Torquay United (both at home).
However, York’s away form has been steadier at 3-5-1 13/10 and they are unbeaten in their last five on their travels with draws at Bradford City, Southend United and Port Vale along with wins at Aldershot Town and Accrington Stanley. You’ll notice though that Accrington and Aldershot aren’t exactly fortresses and a trip at Rochdale could prove a tougher assignment.
Ashley Chambers (6 goals, 2 assists), Jason Walker (4 goals), Matty Blair (3 goals) and Chris Smith (3 assists) are the main threats from the Minstermen, but this match could be a low-scoring affair.
I’ll back the hosts here tonight but with the handicap in case it ends up a draw which is also a likely result.
If Rochdale do win it is likely to be by a 1-0 margin.
Pick: Rochdale AH-0.25 @ 1.83 bet365
