npower League Two: Oxford United v Rochdale
The Kassam Stadium, Saturday 20th April, 3pm kick-off
Rochdale are back on the road this Saturday as the side head to Oxford United’s Kassam Stadium for the final away match of the season.
Dale head into the match following last weekend’s 2-2 draw at home to Port Vale, while the U’s were 1-0 winners at away at Dagenham and Redbridge.
Fears of relegation for Keith Hill’s side were banished following the 4-2 win over Southend United earlier this month, and although the play-off places are out of reach, a win over Oxford would see Rochdale extend their unbeaten run to seven and take a step closer to achieving a top ten finish.
A victory could also see Dale (15th) leap-frog Saturday’s opponent in the table - twelfth placed U’s are currently just a point above Rochdale.
Hill has no new injury worries ahead of the trip, but he is expected to make at least one change to the eleven who drew with Port Vale last weekend by handing on loan defender Wayne Thomas his first start. Thomas joined Dale from Luton Town last month but has been unable to force his way into an unbeaten side.
Hill’s counterpart, Chris Wilder, will leave it late to check on the fitness of James Constable and Jon-Paul Pittman, while Jake Wright is set to miss out due to a back injury.
Match officials
Referee: Steven Rushton
Assistant referees: Dave Bushell and Neil Hair
Fourth Official: Simon Barrow
Last Meeting
October 23rd 2012: Rochdale 2-0 Oxford United
Two second half goals, one from substitute George Donnelly (78) and another from Bobby Grant (87) secured three points for Dale when the two sides met at Spotland in October. The win moved Rochdale into the play-off places.
Team line-ups on the day:
Rochdale: Lillis, Rafferty, R Edwards, Bennett McIntyre, Cavanagh, Tutte, Kennedy, Grant, Grimes, Adebola. Subs: Smith, P Edwards, Pearson, BBM, Craney, Logan, Donnelly.
Oxford United: Clarke, Raynes, Whing, Capaldi, Mullins, Rigg, Potter, Forster-Caskey, Leven, Constable, Craddock. Subs: Brown, Wright, Worley, Obrien, Chapman, Heslop, Pittman.
Admission prices for the match can be found HERE.
Hear from Manager Keith Hill ahead of the fixture on Dale Player now. You can sign up or log in and sign up HERE.