Rochdale v Port Vale Betting Tips: Dale can resume winning ways at Spotland

These two sides were sitting in the upper echelons of League One toward the start of the campaign but now find themselves 10 places apart with Rochdale still looking to put up a fight for the play-offs whilst Port Vale are simply looking to survive.

Although they will still feel they have a chance of reaching the top six, Rochdale have dropped off quite a bit recently with just one win in eight league matches in 2017. The Dale had been quite comfortable in those play-off places a few months ago but are now five points off 6th.

Rochdale were scoring plenty of goals a while back and their record of 45 in 32 is admirable, however, this goal return has now dwindled and they have failed to find the back of the net in four of the last six matches. This means that their weak defence is now having more pressure put on it – pressure which it cannot seem to handle with seven goals conceded in their last three games. Only one team above them in the table has a worse defensive record overall.

Keith Hill’s team have one of the better home records in the league with 33 points from 16. Unfortunately for them though, this has gone downhill recently with no wins in their last three at Spotland. Having said that, the goal threat is clearly still there on home turf with three goals scored in their last home game. Additionally, their record of 31 scored at home is even better than table toppers Sheffield United.

Port Vale have dropped off dramatically in recent times and are still yet to win a game in 2017 in all competitions, putting them in the relegation zone and two points from safety. However, they do still have two games in hand on 20th place Oldham Athletic.

The Valiants have been poor in both boxes in their 32 games this season with just 34 goals scored and 51 conceded.

Away form has also been a huge problem for Michael Brown’s men with their only win on their travels this season coming all the way back in October whilst they have taken just eight points from their 15 matches away from Vale Park.

Given Vale’s terrible form, particularly away from home, which looks like it will not be ending any time soon, I expect Rochdale to come out on top here. ‘Rochdale to Win & Over 1.5 Goals’ looks like one of Tuesday’s bankers and is worth getting on.

Read all of our upcoming League One tips here.