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

The hosts are one of just two sides in England's top four leagues yet to win a game in front of their own fans this season, while the visitors have lost three on the bounce after an electric start to their campaign.

Match preview

Having seen their neighbours Oldham Athletic slip down into the National League last season, Rochdale made a miserable start to the 2022-2023 campaign, picking up just two points from their opening nine games.

Already on their third coach of the season, after 37-year-old centre-back Jimmy McNulty became a temporary player-manager following Robbie Stockdale's dismissal, The Dale are teetering dangerously close to a first-ever relegation to the fifth tier.

Results have picked up under current coach Jim Bentley, however, with crucial wins over Colchester United and Newport County, both 1-0 victories away from home, propelling them off the foot of the table at Crawley Town's expense.

The loan signing of Scott Quigley from Stockport County has helped to ease the scoring drought, with three goals in his first six appearances for the club. The striker spent two seasons at Barrow, and looks set to cause his former club one or two problems on Saturday.

Following their promotion to League Two in 2020, Barrow avoided the drop by just five points in their first season back in the Football League after 48 years.

Finishing 22nd last season, The Bluebirds were tipped to struggle again this time around, but have surprised many with their fearless approach to games under new manager Pete Wild, winning seven of their opening nine games by an aggregate score of 15-10.

Impressive summer recruitment, including the acquisitions of leading performers Ben Whitfield and Sam Foley, has allowed the Cumbrian club to push on, providing star striker Josh Gordon with support up front. Having crashed home seven goals already this campaign, the 28-year-old is already two off his season best.

Barrow's form has dropped recently, however, with three consecutive defeats seeing the early-season's surprise package fall out of the promotion playoff spots.

Nonetheless, Wild's men will certainly have their eye on a trip to second-bottom Rochdale as a chance to rediscover that winning feeling.

Rochdale League Two form:

D

L

L

W

L

W

Rochdale form (all competitions):

L

L

W

W

L

W

Barrow League Two form:

L

W

W

L

L

L

Barrow form (all competitions):

W

W

L

L

L

L

Team News

Midfielder Luke Charman is likely to continue his spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury for the hosts, while backup striker Tahvon Campbell also remains a doubt.

Quigley will continue to lead the line alongside Devante Rodney, while James Ball should retain his place after his match-winner against Newport last time out.

Barrow are free of injuries for their trip, and could name an unchanged lineup.

Tom White will be battling it out with David Moyo for a place up front, alongside Gordon, Whitfield, and Robbie Gotts.

Rochdale possible starting lineup:

Donnel; Keohane, Ebanks-Landell, Graham, Seriki; Diagouraga, Kelly; Rodney, Ball, Sinclair; Quigley

Barrow possible starting lineup:

Farman; Brough, Canavan, Ray, Warren; Neal, Foley; Whitfield, Gotts, Gordon; Moyo

We say: Rochdale 1-2 Barrow

Rochdale are yet to win at home this season, and will be increasingly desperate to try to change that as time goes on.

Nonetheless, Barrow have started the season strongly, and will be looking to get back on track here, so we are predicting a narrow, Josh Gordon-inspired victory.

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