Preview: Rochdale vs. Crawley Town - prediction, team news, lineups

Rochdale will host Crawley Town on Saturday in League Two and the home side currently sit in 16th position with 12 points to their name.

Their opponents Crawley are two points better off and as a result John Yems's side sit a couple of places higher in 14th position.

Match preview

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Rochdale's season got off to a rocky start after going winless in their first three league games, but they steadied the ship by winning three of their next four League Two encounters.

However, their form has once again dropped off and The Dale enter Saturday's fixture winless in their last three league outings.

Robbie Stockdale's side lost 2-0 away to Bradford City last Saturday and disappointingly they followed that result with another defeat on Tuesday in the Papa John's Trophy, losing 1-0 to Port Vale.

If they are to advance up the table then Rochdale need to address their home form that so far this season has seen The Dale collect just five points from their five league games at Spotland Stadium.

Although, Stockdale will feel positive knowing that Rochdale have only ever faced Crawley twice and won on both occasions courtesy of 4-1 and 4-0 scorelines.

Crawley's campaign started poorly with The Reds only winning one of their first five games of the League Two season.

However, Crawley improved dramatically and went on an unbeaten run of four league matches, although that promising run was brought to an end last weekend by Tranmere Rovers.

In the Tranmere clash, Crawley's Kwesi Appiah cancelled out Peter Clarke's opener, but Clarke managed to bag a second goal to clinch all three points for Tranmere.

Another defeat was to follow in midweek when Crawley were hammered 4-0 by Leyton Orient in the Papa John's Trophy and Yems will be hoping his side can halt their slight dip in form this Saturday.

A concern for the Crawley boss will be the fact that his side have struggled on the road in the league this season, winning only once and losing on four occasions.

Team News

Rochdale will not have on-loan player Josh Andrews available after the 19-year-old temporarily returned to his parent club Birmingham City to recover from a hamstring injury.

Alex Newby played the whole 90 minutes in midweek and the 25-year-old could start once again at the weekend.

Stockdale is likely to name a similar side to the one that faced Bradford last weekend.

Newly-signed goalkeeper Dion-Curtis Henry made his first appearance for Crawley during the week in the Papa John's Trophy, but the 24-year-old goalkeeper will drop back to the bench for Saturday with Glenn Morris coming back into the side.

Ludwig Francillette was taken off in the first half last weekend due to a head injury and if the centre-back is not fit for this weekend then Tony Craig will take his place.

Rochdale possible starting lineup:
Coleman; Graham, O'Connell, Dorsett; O'Keeffe, Dooley, Morley, Keohane; Newby, Cashman, Beesley

Crawley Town possible starting lineup:
Morris; Francomb, Craig, Dallison, Tsaroulla; Davies, Hessenthaler, Payne, Powell; Nichols, Ashford

We say: Rochdale 2-2 Crawley Town

Rochdale are on a poor run of form and will be desperate to change that when they host Crawley, but with only two points separating the two sides we think this one will be close and that in the end both teams will have to settle for a point.

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