Rochdale vs Bradford City on 29 Dec 18 - Match Centre

Rochdale v Bradford City | Crown Oil Arena, Sky Bet League One, Saturday 29th December 2018, 3pm Kick-Off

Dale’s second home match in three days sees Bradford City visit the Crown Oil Arena in Sky Bet League One action for the final match of 2018.

Boxing Day’s home win over Blackpool saw Dale reach the 30 point mark, thanks to Ian Henderson’s 89^th minute winner.

Bradford were narrowly beaten 1-0 at Sunderland, but had won back-to-back games before Christmas, against Walsall and Scunthorpe United.

PRE-MATCH

Keith Hill is expecting a difficult proposition against Bradford - click HERE to read what he had to say.

Boxing Day's match winner Ian Henderson is says the side will roll into the game full of confidence - read his thoughts HERE.

ADMISSION DETAILS

It is pay on the day at the Crown Oil Arena on Saturday.

Supporters can pay through the turnstiles for the Pearl Street Stand, the Sandy Lane and the away stand. However, supporters wishing to sit in the Main Stand must purchase a ticket from the RAFC Ticket Office before going to the turnstiles.

Normal league prices apply for the fixture. They can be found HERE.

FIRST TIME VISITOR GUIDE

Are you a first-time visitor to the Crown Oil Arena? Click HERE for all of the information you may need in order to plan your visit and make the most of the matchday experience at Rochdale Football Club!

AWAY SUPPORTERS’ GUIDE

If you are a Bradford City fan making your way to the Crown Oil Arena for Saturday’s game, click HERE and have a read of our Visiting Supporters’ Guide which is packed full of useful information!

PRE-MATCH

There’s a FREE junior event in the Carlsberg Lounge before kick-off on Saturday, where youngster can make their own gliders! Click HERE for full details.

Don't forget to give our mascot a warm reception! Click HERE to view our preview of what the Community Trust have on.

The Ratcliffe Bars, situated on the Crown Oil Arena car park, are open to both home and away supporters from midday.

REF WATCH

Referee | Andy Woolmer

Assistant Referees | Mark Jones & Philip Dermott

Fourth Official | Ben Toner

HEAD TO HEAD

Dale	Draws	Bradford City
27	21	46

MATCH ODDS

Sky Bet are offering odds of 7/10 for a Dale win on Saturday.

Click HERE for the full betting preview.

MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

Rochdale AFC’s matchday programme – The Voice of Spotland – is back on Saturday.

Purchase from the Club Shop and around the ground on matchday for just £3.

WE’VE GOT IT COVERED

Fans in the UK can listen to match audio commentary on iFollow, whilst overseas supporters can watch the match live! The programme will start at 2.45pm.

Click HERE to subscribe to iFollow.

To access commentary/watch live via your desktop, click on the 'iFollow' tab on our navigation bar. Hover over the 'More' tab and more selections will appear, which is where the 'iFollow' tab is located. Once you’ve clicked through, a link will appear on the left-hand side of the page for you to access the commentary. This will appear on the site around half an hour before kick-off.

We will be tweeting live updates from the match and will go behind-the-scenes with our Instagram Story feature. Follow @officiallydale (Twitter and Instagram).

Match Previews

Dale ended 2018 with a defeat at home to Bradford City.

Nathaniel Knight-Percival opened the scoring in the first-half, before Anthony O’Connor doubled the lead shortly after the break.

Eoin Doyle netted from the spot on the hour mark, before George Miller scored a stunning fourth goal on the stroke of full-time.

Bradden Inman replaced Matty Gillam in the only change to the starting line-up from the Boxing Day win over Blackpool.

Dale goalkeeper Brendan Moore was called into action twice early on, superbly turning a powerful effort from Jack Payne over the crossbar, before he saved Payne’s low effort with his legs.

Ryan Delaney did well to turn an Eoin Doyle low cross over his own crossbar, before Anthony O’Connor headed well over from a corner kick.

But it was from a corner that the visitors took the lead. Doyle’s flick was well kept out by the fingertips of Moore, but it dropped for Knight-Percival who was quickest to react and turn home from close range.

Moore saved from former Dale loanee David Ball, before Doyle headed narrowly over from Paul Caddis’ right-wing cross.

Doyle then fired a shot wide of the near post, before Moore was equal to Lewis O’Brian’s powerful effort shortly before half-time.

After the break, Payne saw a free-kick deflected over, but Bradford added a second when the resulting corner was played short, allowing Payne to square for O’Connor who cleverly backheeled beyond Moore.

Hill responded by bringing on Calvin Andrew for Jordan Williams, but Bradford added a third on the hour mark when Doyle fell to ground and was awarded a penalty, getting up to convert the spot kick straight down the middle.

Callum Camps fired an effort over from 30-yards and Inman saw a low shot held, as did Ball for the visitors.

Camps sent a free-kick wide from distance and Payne fired narrowly wide from the edge of the area as the side continued to exchange efforts at goal.

Inman tested Richard O’Donnell’s handling with an curling effort from the edge of the area, before the Bantams added a fourth late on thanks to Miller’s stunning half-volley which dipped over Moore.

Rochdale AFC

Standings

Preview | Bradford City (H)

Report | Dale 0-4 Bradford City