English League Two
2013-02-02 - Rochdale vs Chesterfield
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English League Two
Saturday 2 February 2013 - Kick Off 3pm
Rochdale
I've said for much of the season when previewing Rochdale games that they are still the most fun for a neutral with problems in defence, yet an attack that can outscore any team on their day. The fans won't be so impressed with that policy as it has led to inconsistent results and has seen Rochdale drop off from the Play Off picture.
Recent results have seen Rochdale slip down to 16th in the League Two table, although they remain just 6 points behind Southend United in the final Play Off position. The side have a 4-4-6 record at home this season, scoring 18 goals and conceding 16 in those games.
Rochdale did grab a goalless draw from their last game at Cheltenham Town which saw them snap a 3 game losing run in the League. They have been particularly struggling at home in recent games, losing 4 of their last 5 games here at Spotland, although they did hammer Cheltenham 4-1 in the other game.
Chesterfield
Chesterfield, like Rochdale, are another side that are not exactly in the Play Off picture at the moment, but they are also not far enough away that they can't still see the chance for promotion. However, if they are to manage to do that, they need to find a way of picking up a run of positive results.
The side are 11th in the League Two table, only 2 points better off than Rochdale and only 4 points off Southend United in the Play Off places. They have a 4-4-6 away record this season, scoring 11 goals and conceding 15 in those games, meaning they are one of the lower scorers while also having one of the better defences away from home.
Chesterfield have lost 3 of their last 4 League games thanks to a 0-1 loss to Southend United at home in their last game. They have particularly struggled away from home in recent games with 3 straight losses on their travels in the League, while also losing 4 of their last 5 away games in all competitions.
Head to Head
Chesterfield scored a last minute goal to grab a 1-1 draw with Rochdale when they met earlier this season.
Last season, both were League One clubs and they drew 1-1 at Spotland in the League, although Rochdale did beat Chesterfield 3-2 after extra time in the League Cup.
Chesterfield had won on 2 of their 3 previous visits to this ground before last season.
Prediction
Neither one of these teams are prolific scorers at home or away respectively, so why am I favouring at least 3 goals in this match at 1.90 being offered?
Before Rochdale's 0-1 home loss to Wimbledon, they had played 5 straight home games with at least 3 goals being shared in the match and they have a defence that will give Chesterfield chances in this one.
On the other hand, 4 of the last 7 Chesterfield away games have also seen at least 3 goals scored and I can see both sides scoring at least once in this one.
The obvious 1-1 score is a concern with both games here last season ending with that scoreline as well as their earlier game this season in Chesterfield, but I'll chance there being goals in this one.
The Pick :
Rochdale 2-2 Chesterfield
