2024-25 FA Cup: First Round – Rochdale vs Bromley

Rochdale entertain League Two’s Bromley at Spotland in the first round of 2024-25 FA Cup.

Victory would see Rochdale reach the second round for the first time since 2021-22 season, whilst Bromley look to advance beyond this stage for the first time in 79 years.

 

Team News

Loan signing, Jid Okeke is cup-tied for Rochdale after he previously featured for South Shields in Qualifying, but fellow loanee, Matthew Dennis is available to make his debut.

Bromley have no fresh injury concerns to report following their 1-1 draw at home to Barrow in League Two last weekend.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Rochdale host Bromley at Spotland on Saturday 2 November at 3pm BST, untelevised live in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Rochdale won their only previous FA Cup meeting against Bromley by a 4-0 result at home in this very exact round in November 2017.
• Bromley are winless away to Rochdale in all competitions (D1, L1), during which they scored twice and conceded six goals across both trips.
• Rochdale conceded first in each of their last two meetings against Bromley, which both came in the National League last season (D1, L1).
• In two of the last three seasons in which Rochdale reached the First Round, they lost their tie.
• Bromley have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their three competitive nation-wide cup matches this season (D1, L2).

 

Prediction

Sat sixth in the National League and having scored in 12 of their last 13 games in all competitions, Rochdale can’t be underestimated but they haven’t been consistent with no clean sheets in October.

Bromley though have their own defensive issues but now as the bigger team, they must view this as an opportunity to avoid a cupset if can produce a solid defensive effort but there is no doubting their attacking quality especially with Michael Cheek.

Rochdale though has Kairo Mitchell who has 12 goals this season but he has scored in just one of their last five games, so I do expect a tough clash between these two teams but Bromley really should edge this even if extra-time is needed.

Prediction: Rochdale 1-2 (AET) Bromley

Result: Rochdale 3-4 Bromley