The Dale

After occupying a play off spot for the best part of the season, Rochdale find themselves in mid table following a poor run of from since December. Without a victory in their last five home games it is their form at Spotland that has resulted in this slip down the table as their overall record for the season is split evenly with six wins at home and away.

Rochdale do not have a problem with finding the back of the net with Richard Lambert and Grant Holt contributing 31 goals so far this season. Lambert just edges Holt by the single goal with the former Stockport midfielder scoring a total of 24 goals in 50 games since his arrival at Spotland in February 2005.

Manager Steve Parkin is in his second spell in charge of Rochdale after leaving Spotland in November 2001 to join Barnsley. His time at Oakdale did not work out and within twelve months of his arrival he was dismissed as manager and rejoined Rochdale in December 2003.

Past Encounters

The teams last met on Boxing Day with Wrexham running our 2-1 winners courtesy of a stunning strike from Darren Ferguson after Matt Crowell had equalised from the spot on the stroke of half time.

Prior to this, the last meeting between the teams came on Boxing Day in 2002 when Wrexham made a come back from 2-0 down to secure a point courtesy of a Andy Morrell brace. The earlier game at the Racecourse was a high scoring affair with then player manager Paul Simpson, who is now in charge of Carlisle, scoring a hat trick in Rochdale's 5-2 win. Also on target for Rochdale that day was now Wrexham striker Lee McEvilly. Except for a FA Cup win for Wrexham in 1997 the last league encounters before this came back in the 1992/93 season with Wrexham winning both games.

In total the clubs have met on 115 occasions with Wrexham winning 57 times, Rochdale on 38 and there have been 20 draws.

Form Guide

Wrexham come into the game without a win in their last five games. Wrexham threw away a 2-0 lead at Macclesfield to come away without even a point as they went down 3-2 to the Silkmen. The run started with a 2-2 draw at Mansfield after another two goal lead was lost and was followed up with a 1-0 home defeat o Northampton. In the next away game Wrexham showed some fighting spirit to this time come from two goals down to record a point at Barnet before recorded a goalless draw at home to Bury.

Bookies View

Rochdale are favourites at 13/10 with Bet Odd or Even with Wrexham priced at 2/1 by VC bet and Tote sport with Pinnacle offering the draw at 2.3/1.

Team News

Wrexham Team News: Darren Ferguson is suspended as he completes a two game ban and he sits out alongside former Rochdale striker Lee McEvilly, but at least he will be set for a return next week. With Lee Roche the only other player unavailable Denis Smith has hinted he will name an unchanged side from midweek with Jon Walters continuing his come back from the bench.

Wrexham Squad (18): Ingham, Michael Jones, Shaun Pejic, Danny Williams, Dennis Lawrence, Mike Williams, Dean Bennett, Spender, Whitley, Mark Jones, Mackin, Crowell, Holt, Done, Derbyshire, Sam Williams, Walters, Marc Williams.

Rochdale Team News: Dave Bayliss is set to play against Wrexham after no clause was inserted in his loan deal to prevent him from playing and the final decision is down to manager Steve Parkin. Defenders Mark Jackson and Gareth Griffiths have returned to the squad following ankle and back injuries respectively but a lack of match practice will most likely see them starting on the bench. Blair Sturrock (hip) and Alan Goodall (cheek) are still unavailable.

Officials: The match referee is Mick Russell from Hertfordshire and he is assisted by P Bramley and WE Grunnill with A Rawcliffe as the fourth official. MP Russell has refereed 28 games this season, sending off 3 players and booking 70 at an average of 2.5 per game.

League 2 Fixtures:

Boston United v Lincoln City
Chester v Cheltenham
Darlington v Carlisle
Grimsby v Bury
Mansfield v Northampton
Notts County v Oxford United
Peterborough v Barnet
Rochdale v Wrexham
Rushden & Diamonds v Leyton Orient
Shrewsbury v Bristol Rovers
Stockport v Macclesfield
Wycombe v Torquay

Venue Guide

Address: Spotland Stadium, Willbutts Lane, Rochdale, Lancashire OL11 5DS.

Telephone Number: 01706 644648

Fax Number: 01706 648466

Rochdale Websites

• Official Web Site
• Rochdale Unofficial

How to get there?

By Train: Nearest Train Station is Rochdale and is over three miles from Spotland. A taxi ride will cost your around £3. Click here for the Rail Track Online Timetable or call national enquiries on 08457 484950.

Beer and Grub: There a four pubs in the vicinity of the ground with the Church Inn located on the corner of Willbutts Lane behind the away end. It is very popular with away fans and gets busy on match days. The Cemetery Hotel is located by the traffic lights on the approach to the ground and is mainly used by home supporters but does have a cracking atmosphere. At the Sandy lane end of the ground is the Ratcliffe Arms and is named after ex-Dale Chairman Fred and offers cheap beer. Underneath the WMG Stand is the Studds bar and is used by the supporters association on match day. As you can imagine it gets busy and you have to arrive early if you want to sit down.

Cash Machines: The nearest machine is half a mile away with a Bank of Scotland machine at the service station on Bury Road.

How much to get in?

Disabled Facilities

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