Rochdale v Millwall Betting Tips: Tight game expected at Spotland

These two League One sides are currently outside the play-off places but will still feel they have a chance of being in the top six come the end of the season.

Rochdale were in the play-off positions until a few weeks ago when their poor run of no wins in 11 matches in all competitions. However, they managed to finally win a game last time out against Gillingham and now sit seven points outside the play-offs with a couple of games in hand over various other teams.

Defence has been a huge problem for The Dale in recent times and they have not kept a clean sheet in their last seven league matches, conceding a rather horrific 15 in that time. Their overall record of 51 against is the second-worst in the top 10.

Offensively though, as they demonstrated against Gillingham, Rochdale are pretty good and they have found the back of the net 14 times in their last six games. Unfortunately though, that rather ropey defence has cost them points up until last weekend.

Keith Hill’s side are currently on a four-match unbeaten run at home but it is also worth pointing out that three of those games at the Crown Oil Arena have been stalemates. Overall though, their points haul of 37 in 18 matches on home turf is a better record than three of the four teams currently occupying the play-off positions.

Millwall have by far the better chance of making the top six this season but, unfortunately for them, they dropped points on Saturday as they drew 0-0 with Bury. Although, with just one point between them and the play-offs, the gap should not prove too difficult to close if they keep up their current form of no league defeats since 17th December 2016.

Much of this fantastic run has been down to the Lions’ vicious defence which has kept eight clean sheets in its’ last nine league matches. However, as the Bury result shows, you start to wonder whether Millwall perhaps focus too much on their defence and keeping clean sheets rather than looking to really go at teams. Saturday’s opponents Bury have one of the worst defensive records in the league and Millwall failed to put them to the sword. This could cost them over the next few games if they are not careful.

Neil Harris’s side have been good on their travels and have not lost a league game away from The Den in their last five. Having said that, they have drawn four of them.

Both of these teams will be desperate to pick up three points here but, to be honest, I think it will fizzle out into a draw. As mentioned above, Rochdale have drawn a lot of home matches in recent times whilst Millwall have drawn the majority of their recent away fixtures. Furthermore, Millwall’s defence is looking very strong – probably too strong to be breached – whilst their attack has certainly been misfiring of late. 12/5 on the draw is well worth a go.

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