Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Rochdalevs.Maidenhead

sportsmole.co.uk, 21 March 2024, 21:00
Gamweek 41 in the National League will see Rochdale taking on Maidenhead United at the Crown Oil Arena on Saturday afternoon.

The hosts have 52 points after 39 games this season, currently three places below the playoff qualification cutoff, while the visitors have 45 points and are still firmly in the relegation scrap.

Match preview

The clock is ticking for fan-owned Rochdale, who have until the end of the month to secure new investment, or they could be forced to liquidate after years of perilous finances.

However, while nothing is guaranteed just yet, recent reports suggest that the Dale could be saved from closing their doors, with Texas-based firm World Soccer Holdings believed to have signed a letter of intent to purchase the club in the coming weeks.

The hope of remaining in business has seemingly given the Dale some much-needed optimism, which has shown in their recent performances on the field, as they are currently unbeaten in their last three matches, including a draw against Oxford City and back-to-back wins over Woking and Eastleigh.

In midweek against The Spitfires, Paul McCallum's equalizer swiftly followed Kairo Mitchell's opener, but Jimmy Keohane ensured Rochdale led at halftime before Devante Rodney extended their lead, and Mitchell scored again to secure a decisive 4-1 victory.

Avoiding defeat on Saturday will mark the first time this season that Jim McNulty's side have gone four games in succession without losing, but it will not be an easy task against Maidenhead United, who held the Dale to a 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture back in October.

However, the Magpies have not been in the best form since the New Year and following their 4-1 defeat away to Dagenham in midweek, they are now just two points above York City, who are the first side below the dotted line.

The Daggers took a two-goal lead into the halftime break, and while Tristan Abrahams got his side back into the contest just after the hour mark, the Magpies could not find a leveller and instead conceded two late goals, resulting in their 16th loss this season and sixth in their last eight games.

That result also marked the second consecutive away match that Maidenhead have shipped four goals and was their fourth defeat in their five matches on the road, with their only victory in that time coming against Altrincham at the end of last month.

Rochdale National League form:

W

L

L

D

W

W

Maidenhead United National League form:

L

L

W

L

W

L

Team News

Rochdale have two long-term absentees in Bradley Kelly and Kyle Ferguson, who will remain sidelined for this match with a knee and hamstring injury respectively.

McNulty altered the lineup from their previous victory against Woking in midweek, with Cameron John replacing Finlay Armstrong, who was benched, and Keohane stepping in for Sam Mather, who was left out from the squad entirely.

Ian Henderson is ineligible for selection as he will be serving the second of his three-match suspension on Saturday for the straight red he was shown against Woking last week.

Abrahams scored for a second match in a row in midweek and should maintain his place in the Magpies attack alongside former Barnet attacker Sam Barratt.

Charlee Adams was brought in the second half against Dagenham and will be pushing for a starting 11 spot this week alongside Ashley Nathaniel-George and top scorer Reece Smith.

Rochdale possible starting lineup:

Brooks, Gordon, John, East, Ebanks-Landell, Mitchell; Rodney, Keohane, Nevett; Hayes, Gilmour

Maidenhead United possible starting lineup:

Ross; Asare, Massey, Ferdinand, Beckwith; De Havilland, Pettit, Smith, Nathaniel-George; Barratt, Abrahams

We say: Rochdale 2-1 Maidenhead United

Rochdale are carrying good momentum into this match and seem to have found some form in front of goal lately, scoring two or more goals in each of their last three games. Maidenhead's away record has been very poor over the last couple of months, and we feel that they will suffer a third consecutive defeat on the road in this one.

Previews by email

Top News

21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell has reportedly caught the eye of Serie A clubs Juventus and Napoli. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid are reportedly interested in Manchester United midfielder Casemiro, with Los Blancos considering making an attempt to bring the Brazilian back to Bernabeu in January. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Pep Guardiola deciding to extend his stay at Manchester City could be good news for them in more than one sense. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Cristiano Ronaldo admitted there will be one key challenge to his son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, becoming a professional footballer. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Caoimhin Kelleher has the opportunity to become Chelsea's starting goalkeeper - he's too good to be Liverpool's back-up. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Wolverhampton Wanderers could be without up to seven players for Saturday's Premier League clash with Fulham at Craven Cottage. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Marco Silva will be working with almost a fully-fit squad when his Fulham side play host to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Saturday. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Al Ettifaq chiefs admitted they were left in shock when Jordan Henderson told them he wanted to leave just months into joining the Saudi Pro League club. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Wolverhampton Wanderers will be looking to climb out of the Premier League relegation zone when they travel to Craven Cottage to face Fulham on Saturday afternoon. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Valencia will play their first game since the devastating DANA storm struck the region when they welcome Real Betis to Mestalla for Saturday's La Liga contest. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two sides that were glad to see international football intervene will return from a much-needed break on Saturday, as Aston Villa and Crystal Palace meet at Villa Park. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk St Johnstone host Kilmarnock this weekend at McDiarmid Park, in a clash between two struggling Scottish Premiership sides. 21 November 2024 talksport.com It would take a lot to humiliate Cole Palmer on a football pitch, but he's revealed what would need to happen to do so. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Iago Aspas is once again expected to start, as Celta Vigo continue their 2024-25 La Liga campaign with a contest against division leaders Barcelona on Saturday night. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are set to again be without the services of a number of important players for Saturday's La Liga clash with Celta Vigo, including Lamine Yamal, with the Spaniard not yet recovering from an ankle problem. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two teams at opposite ends of the League One table meet on Saturday, as Burton Albion host Stockport County at the Pirelli Stadium. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Cristiano Ronaldo's YouTube video with Mr Beast hit one million views in just 30 minutes. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brighton & Hove Albion, Ipswich Town and Southampton are all reportedly interested in signing Vasco da Gama youngster Rayan. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk La Liga leaders Barcelona will be bidding to bounce back from a surprise defeat before the November international break when they resume their league campaign away to Celta Vigo on Saturday night. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Arsenal need a figure up front like Alexander Isak to replace Kai Havertz. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Ruben Amorim will take charge of his first game as Manchester United manager this weekend as his side take on Ipswich. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly been handed a boost in their pursuit of PSV Eindhoven attacker Ricardo Pepi ahead of the January transfer window. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brentford duo Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa will be fit to start when the Bees travel to Goodison Park to face Everton in the Premier League on Saturday. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Portsmouth return from the international break with a trip to Ewood Park for Saturday's Championship clash with Blackburn Rovers. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool and Newcastle United are reportedly set to battle for the signature of Brentford attacker Bryan Mbeumo. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City are reportedly leading Real Madrid, Liverpool and Bayern Munich in the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Manchester United are three days away from seeing Ruben Amorim make his touchline debut for the club. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Liverpool will be aiming to maintain their place at the top of the Premier League table this weekend when they travel to face Southampton. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City will reportedly step up their efforts to tie one of their star players down to a new contract after persuading manager Pep Guardiola to stay at the club. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Neymar has admitted he contemplated retirement as he opened up on his injury hell.
Sat 23 Nov, 14:00
A
Verona Verona
-
sch
Inter Inter
Sat 23 Nov, 20:00
L1
Reims Reims
-
sch
Lyon Lyon