League One’s Rochdale kicks off one of the magical footballing weekends of the year as they welcome Newcastle United of the Premier League to Spotland.
With no previous history between these two teams, Rochdale will be hoping to produce a huge cupset against a Newcastle team sat 48 positions above them in the football pyramid.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesIan Henderson is a doubt for Rochdale as he continues to recover from a dead leg, despite having played 85 minutes in midweek.
Ryan McLaughlin (fitness) could once again feature from the bench as he continues to rebuild his match fitness, having made a substitute appearance at Accrington Stanley on Wednesday.
Jordan Williams is also expected to feature after serving a one match ban in midweek.
Matty Done (hamstring) and Rhys Norrington-Davies (facial) are ruled out.
Newcastle could welcome Ki Sung-Yeung back from illness which kept him out over the festive fortnight, although there are several doubts after a tough festive period.
Javier Manquillo, Fabian Schar and Jonjo Shelvey are doubtful with hamstring injuries picked up in Wednesday’s defeat to Leicester, whilst Jetro Willems (groin) and DeAndre Yedlin (hand) are also possible absentees.
Ciaran Clark (calf), Allan Saint-Maximin (thigh), Matt Ritchie (ankle), Paul Dummett (groin) and Jamaal Lascelles (heel) are all expected to return in next few weeks.
Stat Attack
- This is the first ever meeting between Rochdale and Newcastle United in all competitions.
- Newcastle have suffered seven exits at the Third Round stage in the last 13 seasons, of which five occurred without needing a replay.
- Rochdale are winless in two previous home FA Cup meetings against top flight opposition this century (D1, L1), losing 4-1 to Stoke in January 2015 before drawing 2-2 with Tottenham in February 2018.
Prediction
Rochdale surely have to smell a huge chance of a cupset because Newcastle don’t seem to take this competition seriously, as evidenced by seven exits at this stage in last 13 seasons.
The Magpies are also in the middle of a injury crisis which has been evident in recent results, particularly because they had been on a great run pre Christmas so this clash is either the tonic that they need to rebuild confidence or a chance to rest regulars.
I therefore am expecting a good game because Newcastle need a win to stop their rut but Rochdale will be up for it at home, so I am going for a draw but The Dale should win this if they can produce a brilliant attacking performance.
Prediction: Rochdale 1-1 Newcastle United
Result: Rochdale 1-1 Newcastle United