Two sides struggling at the bottom of League Two meet on Saturday when Rochdale host Harrogate Town at the Crown Oil Arena.

The hosts are seeking to respond to back-to-back defeats in the league, while the visitors crashed out of the FA Cup last weekend.

Match preview

Rochdale have managed just one victory in their last six league games, which came on November 8 against local rivals Salford City.

Indeed, the Dale have really found it tough in recent weeks, having appeared to find their form at the end of September, beating Colchester United away to start a run of three wins in four league games.

Jim Bentley's side fell to a narrow away defeat at Sutton United last time out in the league, with Will Randall's strike in the 38th minute proving to be the difference between the two teams.

The Dale are currently sat in 21st place, just one point clear of the relegation zone, but they could leapfrog Saturday's opponents should they be victorious.

Harrogate, meanwhile, were unable to reach the FA Cup third round for a second year running as their 2022-23 campaign came to an end with a 3-1 defeat against Hartlepool United.

The damage was done late in the first half when Callum Cooke opened the scoring, before Josh Umerah converted from 12 yards out just before the interval.

Umerah scored his second, and Hartlepool's third, of the game in the 71st minute, though Josh Coley's first goal in Town colours did provide one positive for Simon Weaver.

The Sulphurites will attempt to bounce back from their FA Cup defeat on Saturday, as they look to record back-to-back wins in the league.

Last time out, Harrogate surprised even their most optimistic supporters by running out 3-0 winners against playoff-chasing Mansfield Town at the CNG Stadium.

Two first-half strikes from Luke Armstrong and a sixth goal of the season for midfielder Alex Pattison meant Town were three goals to the good at the half-time interval, with Weaver's men able to hold out in the second half to achieve their greatest margin of victory this season.

Harrogate currently sit in 20th place, one point above their opponents this weekend, and two points clear of the relegation places.

Team News

Jim Bentley made two changes against Sutton United from Rochdale's 1-0 defeat to Mansfield Town, as Abraham Odoh returned from suspension and Scott Quigley came back from injury.

Aidy White got over 70 minutes for Rochdale's reserves on Tuesday in his return from injury in a 4-1 win against Huddersfield Town in the Central League Cup, so he could return to the squad this weekend.

As for the visitors, Simon Weaver made one change against Hartlepool from the side that beat Mansfield as injured midfielder Matty Daly was replaced by fellow Huddersfield loanee Josh Austerfield. Daly has been ruled out for up to eight weeks with a knee problem, so Austerfield is expected to be given the nod to start again here.

Joe Mattock will be suspended for this game after his dismissal against Hartlepool, so Rory McArdle could replace him in the starting XI here.

Rochdale possible starting lineup:
O'Donnell; Keohane, Graham, Ebanks-Landell, John; Brierley, Diagouraga, Ball, Odoh; Quigley, Henderson

Harrogate Town possible starting lineup:
Jameson; Ramsay, Burrell, McArdle, Headley; Falkingham, Pattison; Muldoon, Austerfield, Grant; Armstrong

We say: Rochdale 2-1 Harrogate Town

In their last encounter in League Two, the two sides played out a thrilling 3-3 draw, however, we fancy the home side to take all three points here.

Harrogate Town are without an away win for the past seven league games coming into this one, while the Dale have only conceded three goals in their past three matches on their own turf.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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