Barnet take on Rochdale at Underhill in League 2 on Tuesday. James Harrison previews the important match.
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The Form Guide
Rochdale have been in this league under all of its guises, having spent the last 35 years in Division Four, League Division Three and now League Two. Perhaps this year is the closest they have come to finally returning to League One, strongly positioned as they are in 2nd place.
Their success seems to have been based on a strong attacking line, advocated by the impressive statistic of scoring in each of their last 24 league matches, stretching back to the beginning of October. Unsurprising then that Dale are the joint top scorers in League Two.
Recent form is strong too, winning six of their last eight games. There was one defeat in that time, away to now league leaders Brentford.
Barnet picked up a well earned and deserved point from Chesterfield on Saturday. Ismail Yakubu's first half goal was cancelled out in what was a fair result in the end.
The Bees will be keen to get a win on the board against Dale, who have already beaten them twice this season.
Build Up
Porter Injures Ankle
Tickets - Buy One Get One Free
Accolade For Albert
WORLD: Chesterfield 1-1 Barnet - GOALS
WORLD: Hendon On Chesterfield
WORLD FLASHBACK: Barnet 1-1 Rochdale (FA Cup)
Team News
Barnet
Max Porter remains out with an ankle injury to add to long term absentees Abu Ogogo and Jeremy De Magalhaes.
Rochdale
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Previous Meetings
Having spent a lot of time together in League Two, meetings with Dale have been regular. There have been a total of 27 meetings between the two clubs. Barnet have won eleven, Rochdale seven (if you count the Extra Time victory) plus nine draws.
Three of those games have been played this season, with the two sides being drawn together in the FA Cup. A 1-1 draw at Underhill was followed by a thriller at Spotland where Rochdale won 3-2 after extra time having trailed 2-0 at half time.
Barnet also surrendered a lead in the league encounter at Dale, losing 3-1 after an early Adam Birchall strike.
Last season, the much postponed away fixture was eventually played late in the season with Dale heading for the playoffs. An excellent performance by the home side was just too good for Barnet with an eventual 3-0 scoreline. At home, a drab 0-0 draw was on show for the 2,040 spectators.
In Charge
G L WARD
I J Cooper and C J Francis
Fourth Official K G Yeo
Tickets
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Barnet World
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Plus, with more exclusive extended highlights, we look back at the 1-1 draw with Rochdale in the FA Cup at Underhill. We produced 13 minutes of action from the match and you could sign up and watch it all in minutes. Highlights of Tuesday's game will be online on Wednesday evening, plus audio interviews with the manager and players. CLICK HERE for more.
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Betting
At the time of writing, Bradford are the favourites with odds of 11/10 with our official betting partner bet365. The draw is priced at 12/5 and Barnet are also at 12/5.
With a huge amount of other markets to bet on, including first scorer (John O'Flynn, Paul Furlong - 8/1, Albert Adomah - 9/1), half time/ full time, scorecast, time of first goal and much much more why not take advantage of our £100 worth of free bets for new customers! CLICK HERE to sign up now.
James Harrison
