Rochdale v Scunthorpe United Betting Tips

Probably the most eye-catching match from Saturday’s League One fixtures is a promotion clash between top-of-the-table Scunthorpe United and fifth place Rochdale.

Rochdale had an incredibly poor start to the season, but then went on a six match winning streak between September and October. They have gone a bit off-colour following that run with a couple of heavy defeats but, luckily for them, they are still winning the majority of their matches – inflicting heavy losses of their own.

The Dale’s home form has been the real catalyst behind their rise into the play-off places, winning their last seven matches at Spotland and all but one of those without conceding. In fact, they have only lost four matches on home soil in the entirety of 2016.

Unfortunately, their record on the road makes for grim reading with four losses on the bounce, 12 goals conceded and none scored. If they could sort this away form out then they could easily fight for the automatic promotion spots.

This near-perfect run at home though will give Keith Hill’s team great confidence going into Saturday’s match, despite facing leaders Scunthorpe United.

The Iron are currently four points clear at the top of League One and a further two ahead of the play-off places. Graham Alexander has certainly got his team firing on all cylinders this season and they will no doubt be at the top end of the table come May.

Scunthorpe have been immense going forward and are unsurprisingly the top scorers in the division with 41 goals to their name – only Doncaster Rovers of League Two have a better record in the Football League pyramid with 42 goals scored.

Attacking player Josh Morris has been the source for 14 of those goals and he is the leading scorer, however, his form has dipped a bit recently with just one goal in his last five league matches.

Home form has been excellent for Alexander’s men and they have not lost a league match at Glanford Park since December 2015. Having said that, away form has also been pretty good (they would not be top of the league if it wasn’t) with just two defeats all season and their last three matches away from home resulting in victories to nil. They will have a lot of self belief, even going to a side as good at home as Rochdale.

This isn’t the most clear-cut of games, but Rochdale, who are priced at 9/5, are the team to side with. They play in front of a home crowd and are in good form right now. Although Scunthorpe have won their last three on the road, two of those came against teams in the relegation zone. Additionally, The Dale have won the last two meetings between these two sides at Spotland.

If you want something a bit safer and not so dependent on the result, go with ‘Over 2.5 Goals’ at 6/5. I am surprised that this market, which is often odds-on in League One, is priced so nicely given the circumstances. This stake would have won in Rochdale’s last four matches whilst, with their goal-scoring record, Scunthorpe should be able to contribute a goal or two.

Furthermore, this bet would have won in the last two matches at Rochdale between these two as well as in five of the last six meetings at all venues. Nailed-on.

See more League One tips here.