Preview: Barrow vs. Rochdale - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts are currently on a run of one win in seven matches, while their visitors have suffered defeat in each of their last five outings.

Match preview

Barrow saw their woeful run of form continue as they were narrowly beaten 2-1 by Tranmere Rovers in Thursday's encounter between the sides.

Pete Wild's men trailed to Jordan Turnbull's early strike, before restoring parity through Jordan Stevens after which Kane Hemmings scored the winner eight minutes from time.

As a result, The Bluebirds have dropped to ninth place in the League Two table, but are just one point behind Bradford City in the race for the final playoff spot.

Next on the menu is the challenge of an opposing outfit who are unbeaten in the previous four editions of this fixture, coming out on top in three of them.

Having picked up 24 of their 35 points this term on home turf, Monday's hosts know that they need to keep getting the job done in front of their fans to stand any chance of securing promotion.

Rochdale were beaten on enemy territory for the fourth game running following a 4-3 defeat against Doncaster Rovers at the Eco-Power Stadium on Thursday.

Off the back of a thrilling first half, Jim Bentley's men found themselves 3-2 down but got back on level terms courtesy of Tyrese Sinclair's goal, only for Tom Anderson to decide the contest in the 81st minute.

With a meagre tally of 15 points from 22 matches so far, The Dale sit bottom but one in the standings and have some picking up to do as the current campaign approaches its midway stage.

Monday's visitors, who are winless in five matches on the road leading up to their next outing, now in search of a much-needed albeit highly unlikely boost away from home.

Barrow League Two form:

L

W

L

L

D

L

Barrow form (all competitions):

W

L

L

L

D

L

Rochdale League Two form:

W

L

L

L

L

L

Team News

Jordan Stevens has found the back of the net in consecutive matches for the first time in his young Barrow career, making the 22-year-old one to keep an eye on here.

George Ray continues to walk a suspension tightrope and the defender will once again need to avoid a yellow card in Monday's contest or incur a one-game ban.

After being named on the bench for seven games in a row, Benjamin Nelson has been handed starts in each of Rochdale's two matches at the expense of Sam Graham.

However, Graham could be recalled to the XI as his manager will be contemplating making some changes in a bid to arrest the visitors' current slump in form.

Barrow possible starting lineup:

Lillis; Warren, Ray, Canavan, Brough; Neal, Foley, White; Stevens, Gordons, Whitfield

Rochdale possible starting lineup:

O'Donnell; John, Ebanks-Landell, Graham, Keohane; Brierley, Diagouraga; Henderson, Ball, Odoh; Quigley

We say: Barrow 1-0 Rochdale

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