Rochdale are in home action this Saturday, with Barnsley the visitors to Spotland.
Dale head into the encounter on the back of Saturday’s 3-2 win over Leyton Orient, while Barnsley went down 3-0 at home to Swindon Town.
A double from Matty Done and one from Peter Vincenti ensured victory for Dale at the Matchroom Stadium last weekend, and you can watch the goals HERE.
Manager Keith Hill has no new injury worries ahead of the fixture. Joe Rafferty returns from suspension, while Ashley Eastham will serve a one match ban following his red card in Saturday’s match against the O’s.
Hill’s counterpart, Danny Wilson, is said to have a fully fit squad to choose from. He has dipped into the loan market this week, recruiting winger Ryan Williams from Fulham for a month.
Assistant Manager Chris Beech was on pre-match duties. You can watch his interview on Dale Player by clicking HERE.
MAN IN THE MIDDLE
Saturday's referee is Kevin Wright.
LAST MEETING AT SPOTLAND
Saturday 11th August 2012: Rochdale 3-4 Barnsley (AET): League Cup
Barnsley were last at Spotland more than two years ago, when the then Reds boss, Keith Hill, brought his side to Rochdale in the first round of the Capital One Cup.
It was a dramatic encounter which saw a red card, two penalties and extra time.
Dale took the lead early in the first half through Andrew Tutte (6 mins), but went into the interval on level terms after the visitors equalised through John Stones shortly before the break. Barnsley went on to gain the lead in the 79th minute from a Craig Davies strikes, before the visitors were reduced to ten men and Jason Kennedy netted from the spot in stoppage time.
Goalkeeper Ben Alnwick was red carded for an off the ball incident with substitute Ray Putterill and with no ‘keeper on the bench, the outfield Bobby Hassell was called upon to go in goal for the resulting penalty and what would become extra time.
In extra time, Chris Dagnall fired Barnsley ahead before adding his second of the afternoon ten minutes later. Kennedy then netted again from the spot, but an impressive performance from stand in 'keeper Bobby Hassell denied Rochdale several opportunities to draw level.
Dale XI on the day: J Lillis, P Cavanagh, R Edwards, P Edwards, M Pearson, J Kennedy, A Tutte, A Grimes, K McIntyre, G Donnelly, D Adebola. Subs: B Smith, J Raff, R Bennett, BBM, R Putterill, I Craney, C Curran.
Last league meeting: The two sides haven’t met in the league since the 1978/79 season. Barnsley were 3-0 winners over Dale when the sides met at Spotland in the December, while Rochdale won by the same score line in the reverse fixture.
TICKET INFORMATION
The match is pay on the day. You can find admission prices HERE.
FIRST TIME VISITOR?
Click HERE to view our first time visitors’ guide.
MATCH COVERAGE
Can’t make it to Spotland for Saturday’s game? Listen live on Dale Player! Live commentary coverage will be available will be available from around 2.55pm. Not got Dale Player? You can sign up HERE.
We’ll be tweeting live from the game via @officiallydale There will be key updates on the Dale Wall. You can access the Wall by clicking HERE.
FREE WIFI
Do you sit in the Main Stand? Remember, there's free wifi for supporters thanks to BetBright. Click HERE for more info.