Our prediction for this League 1 match:
Saturday’s football game at Spotland Stadium pits together Rochdale and Burton, the two bottom-table sides. Rochdale are on a five-game winless run in the League One, with the team sitting in 18th place in the standings, only one point clear of the relegation zone. The Dale are eager to give fans something to cheer about, and we are positive that they will fight tooth and nail against Burton.
The Brewers, on the other hand, desperately needed a win against Charlton Athletic, and they managed to get one. The rock-bottom side regained a much-needed confidence, but they need to keep on making progress if they are to secure the League One survival. Jake Beasley is likely to miss the game with injury for the hosts, while Burton boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink should have a full squad to choose from. Anyhow, a close encounter is on the cards, and we believe that there is a big value in betting on draw.
Highlighted Player (Ryan McLaughlin):
Ryan McLaughlin is a Northern Ireland international who plays for Rochdale in the League One as a right-back. McLaughlin started his youth career at Glenavon back in 2009 and two years later he was spotted by Liverpool scouts, who persuaded him to join the Reds youth academy.
However, instead of playing for Liverpool at senior level, the Northern Ireland defender spent two seasons on loan at Barnsley and Aberdeen before moving to Oldham Athletic. After scoring three goals in 52 league appearances for the club, Ryan McLaughlin joined Rochdale in 2019 for an undisclosed fee.
McLaughlin made his League One debut with the Dale on January 26, 2019 in a 2-1 loss at Barnsley. Speaking of his international career, the pacey right-back made his Northern Ireland debut on May 31, 2014 in a friendly against Uruguay. It has to be noted that the Rochdale defender can be used as both left-back and right midfielder as well.
Highlighted Team (Burton Albion):
Burton Albion are one of the four clubs that secure promotion to the Championship at the end of the 2015/2016 campaign. The Brewers welcome their rivals at Pirelli Stadium, the venue that was opened in 2005. The capacity of the stadium is 6,912, while the seating capacity of the venue is 2,034.
Burton Albion won the FA Trophy in 1987, with the team winning Football League Two in 2015. During the club’s non-League period, the Brewers’ local rivals were Nuneaton Borough, Tamworth, Stafford Rangers and Gresley Rovers, but while they were playing in the Football League the club’s rivals were Crewe, Port Vale, Notts County and Chesterfield.
Derby County are considered Burton Albion’s rivals as well, but the rivalry with the Rams is rather friendly. The colour of Burton Albion’s home kit is black and yellow, while they wear white and grey jerseys on the travels.