Preview: Rochdale vs. Carlisle United - prediction, team news, lineups

The Blues are now up to fourth in the standings, just one point behind third-placed Northampton Town, while the visitors are bottom of the league, after a terrible recent run of form.

Match preview

After a very poor start to the season, Rochdale appointed Jim Bentley as manager at the end of August, and they initially looked a much-improved side, at one stage going on a run of four wins in five games.

However, it has since turned sour, with the Dale winning just one of their last 10 league matches, losing important games to the likes of Colchester United and Harrogate Town, other sides who are threatened by relegation.

It is rare that Rochdale get completely outplayed, with five of the last seven games they have lost being by just a one-goal margin, but they have just not managed to develop that knack for grinding out results.

A very poor record in front of goal has not helped matters, with the Dale scoring just 22 goals in their 27 matches so far, the third-fewest of any side in the fourth tier.

There was some cause for optimism when Bentley's side ran out 2-1 winners against Bradford City earlier this month, a side that are in the playoff places, although they have since lost back-to-back games, most recently coming up short in a 2-0 defeat at Hartlepool United.

Carlisle are a much-improved side compared to last season, when they finished in 20th place, well on course to push for promotion in the second half of the League Two campaign.

Recent form has been terrific, with the Blues winning four of their last five matches, displaying their defensive competence by keeping clean sheets on three occasions, but it is their attack that deserves the majority of the praise.

Paul Simpson's side have netted 42 times in League Two this term, the highest amount of any side in the division, and more than half of these have come away from home.

The Blues have also been able to deliver the goods on home soil, romping home to a 3-0 victory in the reverse fixture against Rochdale, with the free-scoring Krystian Dennis once again getting on the scoresheet.

Last time out, the striker scored a brace against Hartlepool United, as the Blues cruised home to a 3-1 victory at Brunton Park, with Morgan Feeney also managing to get in on the act, in what proved to be a routine win.

Rochdale League Two form:

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D

D

W

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L

Carlisle United League Two form:

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W

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L

W

W

Team News

Bentley will have to reshuffle the pack somewhat, given that two Rochdale players were sent off in their last match, with defenders Ethan Ebanks-Landell and Sam Graham both now set to serve suspensions.

In their absence, Max Taylor and Louis John are poised to start at centre-back, while James Ball could be brought into the midfield, providing for Ian Henderson and Devante Rodney in attack, with the latter the Dale's top scorer in League Two.

Dennis is now joint-top of the scoring charts in the entire division after his recent exploits, netting on 16 occasions in League Two, and so he is a sure-fire starter for Carlisle, accompanying John Kymani-Gordon.

Striker Jack Stretton is on the road to recovery from his recent injury, while Omari Patrick has recently returned, featuring as a substitute in the last two matches, so Simpson has plenty of options to choose from in forward areas.

Rochdale possible starting lineup:

Eastwood; Seriki, Taylor, John, Odoh; Kelly, Keohane, Ball, Lloyd; Rodney, Henderson

Carlisle United possible starting lineup:

Holy; Senior, Feeney, Huntington, Mellish, Armer; Moxon, Guy, Gibson; Gordon, Dennis

We say: Rochdale 0-3 Carlisle United

Carlisle are in fantastic form, and the attacking threat that they pose should be far too much for Rochdale to be able to handle, given how poor their defence has been all season.

As such, we expect the Blues to romp home to a comfortable victory, with Dennis likely to be on the scoresheet for the fifth game on the spin.

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