Accrington ST – Rochdale

Accrington Stanley host Rochdale in what promises to be a decisive clash at the Crown Ground, with the home side perched in 21st place on five points after a mixed start of one win, two draws and three defeats, scoring ten and conceding thirteen. Rochdale sit three spots below them, languishing at the bottom with four points from one victory, one draw and four losses, having managed just five goals while allowing ten. The narrow three‑point gap means both clubs will be desperate to secure three points and stave off the looming relegation battle. Given Accrington’s slightly better goal difference and the advantage of playing at home, they enter the fixture as marginal favourites, yet Rochdale’s hunger to climb out of the drop zone could make for a tightly contested encounter.