Oldham Host Rochdale In North West Derby

League 1

Football
Published: 23/03/2015

It`s a North West derby in League One tomorrow as Oldham host Rochdale at Boundary Park. The former are currently in 13th position in the league and are clinging onto an outside chance of finishing the season in the play-offs. Dean Holden`s men are seven points from Peterborough who occupy the last play-off place with one game in hand. A victory at home tomorrow could see them rise to as high as 11th and keep their late push alive. A defeat would see them remain in mid-table and all but end their play-off dreams.

Rochdale are in a much better position to forge a play-off charge, currently in eighth place, three points behind the Posh with two games in hand. Dale`s substantially superior goal difference means that they would usurp Dave Robertson`s side with a victory tomorrow whilst a defeat would see them remain in eighth with just one game left to make their mark on the top six.

The two clubs have met once already this season, this being in the reverse fixture at Rochdale`s Spotland Stadium. The match that took place in November ended as a 3-0 away win, something that Oldham will hope to replicate this time around.

Daniel Johnson, who was on-loan at Oldham before being sold by parent club Aston Villa to Preston North End, scored the only goal of the first half, hitting the back of the net in the 24th minute. Jonathan Forte would double his side`s advantage from the penalty spot in the 72nd minute whilst Johnson would complete his brace with just 10 minutes of the match remaining.

Betvictor`s 30/1 is the best price on Oldham beating Rochdale by three goals to nil once again. Forte is a 9/5 (Betbright, betfair, boylesports) chance of hitting the back of the net at any time whilst both betfair and paddy Power have 11/4 on a penalty being awarded at any time during tomorrow`s match-up.

Whilst that Latics` performance came under previous manager Lee Johnson, their home advantage means that Oldham are the favourites to do the double over their local rivals. A home win is currently available at 17/10 (bet365, Betvictor, boylesports) with 9/5 (bet365, Boylesports) the best price on a Rochdale victory. Most bookmakers are offering odds of 12/5 on the match being tied at the end of 90 minutes.

Oldham`s 1-0 win over Crewe at the weekend ended their three game run without picking up a point. Indeed, Athletic have a dismal recent home record having only earned three points in their last five games at Boundary Park. With this match coming back at the beginning of February, Oldham are currently without a home win in four.

Indeed to add insult to injury, Holden`s men have only scored two goals in these four encounters, conceding 11. Betvictor have 7/4 on the side grabbing exactly one goal for the third match on the trot whilst Coral`s 6/1 says that Rochdale will be able to hit their hosts for over 2.5. This would be the fourth straight time that Oldham have conceded at least three goals.

Hill`s club have picked up 12 points in their last five matches, an awesome return. Away from home, however, they have only won one in their last five. Indeed, you would have to go as far back as October to remember the last time that Rochdale had kept a clean sheet on their travels in the league. The best price on both teams scoring tomorrow night is 31/40 (Betvictor).

Having scored two goals in their last five away games, Peter Vincenti is his club`s top scorer in this period. He is available at 18/5 to hit the back of the net at any time.

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Any odds displayed within this article were correct at the time of publishing (23/03/2015) but are subject to change.

23/03/2015     © Frixo 2024

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