Possible nail-biting contest in Rochdale - Port Vale game

Both squads have had enough days rest since their last match. Let's have faith in that this will be an enthusiastic match!

Rochdale form and stats

Rochdale have collected 14 points from their League Two home games so far after 3-5-3.

A nice win for Rochdale last time playing, versus Newport County. That was also a home game and the match ended 3-0 with Kelly and Beesley (2) scoring for the victors. The talented striker Beesley outshone all the other players in that game and was awarded a match rating of 9.01 out of 10. Beesley scored two goals, served one assist, hit two key passes and dribled past the opponent 1 of 2 times.

Prior to that, an away loss at Bristol Rovers.

This is expected to be a close game, with Rochdale perhaps considered small favourites due to their home advantage. Looking back at earlier matches similar to this one (expected to be close with Rochdale as a small favourite), we find nine games. Rochdale has won three of these, drawn five and lost one.

Another home game is coming up fairly shortly for the hosts, as Mansfield Town are coming to town in three days.

The Rochdale fans would probably like to see some more goals scored at their own stadium in the league, the tally being 14 in 11 matches. On the other hand, Rochdale have conceded 12 goals.

Port Vale form and stats

The visitors are W5-D2-L4 on the road this term. That's in the League Two.

Two away games in a row for Port, who will hope to get a better result in this one after losing 1-2 versus Newport County in the League Two. Attacker Garrity got a player rating of 7.12 in the game. "Man of the match" Garrity scored one goal.

Before that one, a nice away victory 2-1 at Bristol Rovers.

So, this is expected to be a close game, an even contest. Looking at earlier matches with Port Vale playing away and similar expectations, we found twelve relevant matches. Results were five Port Vale wins, three draws and four defeats.

There might be some complaints about the fixture list from the Port manager Clarke as the team has another away game coming up in only three days, this time against Harrogate Town.

Port are not goal shy away from home in the league, finding the net 19 times in 11 away games so far. As opposed to that, Port have seen the ball go into their own net 15 times on the road.

Head 2 Head

It's not the first time these two teams face each other this campaign, as the results database show this recent match: Port Vale - Rochdale 2-3. As for the last ten games between these two teams, there's five Rochdale victories, zero draws and five Port Vale wins. Over/under statistics; five of these games ended with three goals or more, five matches with two goals or less.

Top Goalscorers

J. Beesley 9 goals

B. Garrity 7 goals

J. Proctor 6 goals

Rochdale missing players

Port Vale missing players