Our prediction for this League 2 match:
Saturday’s football game at St James Park pits together Exeter and Rochdale. The hosts aim to bounce back from a 2-0 loss to Tranmere, and a win over Robbie Stockdale’s troops will see them cement their spot in top three. All Colin Daniel, Sam Nombe, Harry Kite, and Kyle Taylor have been struggling with injuries of late, while both Josh Coley and Matt Jay are pushing for recalls to the starting XI.
The Dale, on the other hand, did well to beat Hartlepool 2-0 in their last league match. The visitors, though, have little to play for in the season finale, and that is probably the main reason why home win should be considered. Both James Ball and Tahvon Campbell remain in the treatment room, while Liam Kelly faces race against clock to be fit for the match.
Highlighted Player (Nicky Ajose):
Nicky Ajose is an English footballer who started his youth career at Manchester United. Despite signing a professional deal with the Red Devils, Ajose did not see any game action for the English giants at the senior level. After spending the 2010/2011 season on loan at Bury, the 168-cm tall forward signed a contract with Peterborough United in the summer of 2011.
Nicky Ajose played for the likes of Scunthorpe United, Chesterfield, Crawley Town, Bury, and Swindon Town on loan before joining Leeds United on a three-year deal in August 2014. However, the English striker made no more than three league appearances for the Whites before signing a loan deal with Crewe Alexandra. In September 2015, he returned to Swindon Town, signing a three-year contract with the Robins.
Nicky Ajose played for the likes of Charlton Athletic, Bury (loan), and Mansfield (loan) before moving to his current club Exeter City. The Grecians attacker was born in Bury, England, on October 7, 1991, and his preferred foot is right.
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).