Competition: National League
Market: Rochdale win
Odds: 19/20 @ BetUS
In what is a real showdown at the top of the National League standings, Rochdale will welcome Forest Green to the Spotland Stadium on Wednesday night.
Starting with the hosts, while Rochdale might have suffered play-off heartbreak last season, Jimmy McNulty’s men are almost universally regarded as the standout promotion contender this time around. Opening the midweek fixtures holding a two point buffer at the top of the National League table, the Lancashire-based outfit will be looking to make a real statement here. Last seen over the weekend securing a gritty 1-0 victory at home against Carlisle, Rochdale are in the midst of a major purple patch. Getting the New Year underway with a 2-0 win away at Gateshead, Wednesday’s hosts have now won all of their previous six consecutive National League appearances. Storming their way to an empathic 4-1 romp against Boreham Wood, McNulty’s side will also be excited by their extended success on home soil. Along with winning their last four straight matchups at the Spotland Stadium by an aggregate score of 9-2, the Blues have also registered 36 points from their 14 matchups in front of their own supporters this season.
As for the visitors, although Forest Green might travel to Lancashire on Wednesday night still leading it out in the play-off chase, Robbie Savage’s men are desperately searching for some essential stability. Making an immediate return to winning ways over the weekend as they slumped to a 2-1 loss away at York City, the Rovers have now lost three of their previous four appearances across all competitions. Watching their FA Trophy adventure come to a thumping end on January 31st as they slumped to a woeful 3-0 drumming at home against Wealdstone, Forest Green have also won just a pair of their last nine showdowns against National League opposition – a run that stems back to December 20th. Showing some worrying defensive issues, Savage’s side look set for another stern examination in midweek. Hit with a 1-0 defeat when they welcomed Rochdale to the New Lawn for their reverse National League battle on October 4th, we are expecting a similar outcome on Wednesday night.
Bet: Rochdale 19/20 to beat Forest Green in Wednesday’s National League matchup @ BetUS
