Crewe Alexandra will aim to make it five games unbeaten when they entertain Rochdale at Mornflake Stadium on Saturday (3pm).
Lee Bell’s side will look to build on from his side’s clean sheet on Tuesday evening, as the Alex earned a hard-fought point at Walsall.
The Opposition
Rochdale are bottom of League Two and at risk of dropping down into the National League for the first time since the 1920s.
Dale are eight games without victory, but will be encouraged by their last performance against Stockport County - pushing the promotion-chasers all the way in a 2-1 defeat.
The Gaffer
Jim Bentley was appointed Rochdale manager in August 2022, having most recently managed National League side AFC Fylde.
He spent 17 years with Morecambe as player and manager, being involved in over 800 matches for the Shrimps. He played a huge role in achieving promotion into the Football League for the first time ever, captaining the side in their 2-1 Play-Off victory against Exeter City in 2007.
Fighting Talk
Alex Morris (Crewe Assistant Manager): “These are always difficult games to go into because the expectation is firmly on us. We will go into the game on the front foot and be proactive, but we don’t have any lack of respect for what Rochdale are going to bring.”
Toumani Diagouraga (Rochdale midfielder): “We need everyone to pull in the same direction, whether it’s fans, staff or players. We all have to be leaders to get us out of the trouble that we’re in at the moment.”
Team News
Keeper James Beadle is in pole position to keep his jersey after an impressive display midweek. Kelvin Mellor, Zac Williams, Charlie Colkett, David Amoo, Courtney Baker-Richardson and Christopher Long remain sidelined.
Scott Quigley is expected to return to the Rochdale squad, after being ineligible to face parent club Stockport County in midweek.
Head-to-Head
Rochdale hold the upper hand in the head-to-head battle, winning 53 of the 131 games played between both clubs, with the Railwaymen victorious on 52 occasions.
Most recently, the Alex were 2-1 winners at Spotland on the opening day of the season courtesy of goals from Dan Agyei and Lachlan Brook.
Officials
Ben Toner will take charge of proceedings on Saturday afternoon, having last officiated the Alex in March 2022, a 2-0 home defeat against Wigan Athletic.
He will be assisted by Michael George and Kelvin Mulraine, with Joe Simpson appointed as fourth official.
Tickets
| Boughey Stand | Rhino Safety Stand | Andrew Connolly Financial Planning Stand | |
| Adult | £25 (£21) | £23 (£20) | £23 (£20) |
| Senior (65+) | £19 (£16) | £17.50 (£15) | £17.50 (£15) |
| 17-19 Years | (£14.50) | (£13.50) | (£13.50) |
| Student | (£12.50) | (£12.50) | (£12.50) |
| 12-16 Years | £12 (£10) | £10 (£9.50) | £10 (£9.50) |
| Under 11 | £7.50 (£6) | £6.50 (£5.50) | £6.50 (£5.50) |
| Disabled | £19 (£16) | £17.50 (£15) | £17.50 (£15) |
| Family Ticket | N/A | N/A | £23.00* |
How To Find Us
For information on how to get to Mornflake Stadium via rail or road, CLICK HERE.
Elsewhere in League Two
Barrow v Stockport County; Colchester United v Northampton Town; Crawley Town v Carlisle United; Doncaster Rovers v Bradford City; Gillingham v AFC Wimbledon; Grimsby Town v Leyton Orient; Hartlepool United v Walsall; Mansfield Town v Salford City; Newport County v Sutton United; Stevenage v Tranmere Rovers; Swindon Town v Harrogate Town.
Can't Make The Game?
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