Our prediction for this League 2 match:
Carlisle and Rochdale take on each other on Boxing Day in what is expected to be a close League Two encounter. The Cumbrians did well to make amends for a 1-0 loss to Mansfield United, with the team beating Stevenage 2-0 in their last league match. Carlisle United were not in action at the weekend, meaning that tired legs are shouldn’t prove to be a big problem for the home outfit. Head coach Keith Millen is unlikely to make changes to the starting XI that defeated the Boro.
The Dale, on the other hand, aim to build on a 3-0 win over Newport where Jake Beesley once again proved his worth. The 25-year-old forward has been scoring goals for fun of late, meaning that the opposition defenders should have him at bay. Anyhow, the two teams seem to be evenly matched at the moment, and we are tempted to put our money on draw.
Highlighted Player (Magnus Norman ):
Magnus Norman is a talented goalkeeper who plays for Carlisle United in the League Two, the fourth tier of the English football system. Born in London on January 19, 1997, Norman is a product of his hometown club Fulham.
Despite being a Fulham player from 2014 to 2020, the shot-stopper did not see any game action with the Cottagers at senior level. After spending a couple of years on loan at the likes of Farnborough, Hayes and Yeading United, Southport, and Rochdale, he signed a two-year deal with Carlisle United on August 7, 2020.
Magnus Norman represented England at under-18 youth level, but he has yet to receive a call-up for the senior team. The Carlisle United goalkeeper made his debut with the club in an EFL Trophy clash against Sunderland on October 6, 2020. The Black Cats won the game 5-3. Magnus Norman wears the No. 1 shirt at Carlisle United.
Highlighted Team (Rochdale):
Nicknamed the Dale, Rochdale are a professional English club that compete in the League One (English third tier). Rochdale were founded back in 1907, after World War I, with the team beating Accrington Stanley 6-3 in their first league game 14 years later.
The Dale wear blue shirts with black stripes and blue shorts when playing at home, whilst gray is the dominant colour of their away kit. Spotland Stadium is the club’s home ground, with the venue holding no more than 10,249 spectators. Bury and Oldham Athletic are considered the club’s fiercest rivals, but they have built up rivalries with the likes of Halifax Town, Burnley, Stockport County, Wigan Athletic and Accrington Stanley as well.
Back in 1962 Rochdale made it to the Football League Cup final, with the team facing Norwich City in the title game. The Canaries proved to be a big catch for the Dale, but this is still considered the club’s biggest success. It has to be noted that the Spotland Stadium outfit have three Lancashire Cup titles as well (1948/1949, 1970/1971, 2004/2005).