Newcastle vs Rochdale
14th January 1945hrs
Football – England – FA Cup
Pick Under 2.5 goals
Bookmaker Marathonbet
Odds: 27/20 odds taken 2000 GMT, Monday 13 January
Newcastle passed up a number of chances to secure their passage into the fourth round and were made to pay by a resilient Rochdale team who could have won it themselves. Who will come out on top on Tuesday?!
Table of Contents
Newcastle Preview – Can injury-ravaged Newcastle avoid a big cup upset and progress to the fourth round?
Steve Bruce was extremely frustrated that his team could not finish the job having taken the lead in the first meeting between these two. A goal from Miguel Almiron set them on their way but wasteful finishing, particularly from Joelinton, prevented them from going two up and settling the tie when on top. They were ultimately made to pay for that and as such have a replay to contend with. It’s a game that Bruce could have been doing without considering the number of injuries Newcastle have at the moment.
Dwight Gayle and Paul Dummett were the latest to joint the injury list having went off in the 1-1 draw with Wolves at the weekend. The Magpies could have as many as 15 players missing for the visit of Rochdale.
Premier League managers often use the early rounds of this competition to give their regular starters a rest. Newcastle’s squad is down to the bare bones, though, therefore Bruce has no such luxury. He’s a traditionalist as well and his disappointment at failing to settle the tie first time around indicates that he wants to have a cup run.
Newcastle have not played an FA Cup tie beyond January since 2006 so they are overdue a prolonged run in the competition.
Rochdale Preview – Will Rochdale spring a big surprise and book a meeting with Oxford in the next round?
It’s always said that the FA Cup carries a certain romance and Rochdale’s hero from the first game will certainly feel that way. Aaron Wilbraham came off the bench to get his team back on level terms and earn a replay, at the tender age of 40. They could even have won the game, going on to miss two huge chances in the closing stages.
The League One side will now travel to the north east looking to cause a big upset. Whilst their owners will be delighted of the big payday that playing at a Premier League ground brings with it.
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‘Dale are finding life difficult in League One this season but two wins to start of the year means they now have a six point cushion on third bottom Tranmere. Survival is obviously their priority but manager Brian Barry-Murphy (who has been in charge for less than year) is going to relish this opportunity. He’ll also take great heart from how his team came back in the first game.
One interesting point to note about Rochdale is that their coach is just a year older than their goal scorer from the first game.
Newcastle vs Rochdale Betting Advice
Despite the injuries Newcastle are widely expected to be too strong for a team who are two leagues below them. We know football, particularly cup football, is not as straightforward as that and they will have to approach the game with some caution to avoid any upsets. The prospect of a home tie at home to Oxford United in the next round is an attractive proposition for whoever prevails.
Key Facts – Newcastle vs Rochdale Betting Tip
- The first game between these two teams ended in a 1-1 draw
- Newcastle may have up to 15 players missing for this replay and have not won in five games
- Rochdale have won three of their last five away games in all competitions
Key to this game will be who gets the first goal. If Rochdale get it you sense the crowd will turn on the home team following a run of five games without a win. Should Newcastle go up you would like to think they will have learned their lesson from the first game and go on to win the tie with something to spare.
Newcastle have scored more than two goals on just one occasion this season. They have struggled in front of goal throughout the campaign. As such, my betting prediction for this game is for under 2.5 goals.
The best betting odds for Newcastle vs Rochdale
Newcastle to win: 2/7 at Bet365
Draw: 19/4 at Bet365
Rochdale to win: 10/1 at Bet365
