Boston United vs Rochdale Predictions

• Boston will be looking to reach the third round of the FA Cup for the first time since 2005.
• There are currently 61 league places between Boston United and Rochdale.
• Rochdale have won none of their last three travelling matches in the FA Cup.

Hope for Non-League hosts

Following the 0-0 draw this pair played out at Spotland, Boston manager Craig Elliot stated he wasn’t overly pleased with the result, despite his side holding League One opposition away from home. On reflection, it’s not too difficult to see what the sixth-tier boss meant. His side bettered their hosts in terms of both shots and shots on target and had some good scoring chances; had one of them been taken, Boston would be in the third round already.

However, although drawing may not have left the Boston boss buzzing, there’s reason for Monday’s hosts to be optimistic ahead of this match. Despite playing against a League One side away from home, the National League North boys held their own, so much so they really ought to fancy themselves to do some damage now back on their own patch.

It is at a lesser level of course, but Boston have a pleasing recent home record, which will also boost confidence levels ahead of Monday’s game. They’re unbeaten in eight games at York Road.

Second bite of the cherry for Dale

This game is something of an inconvenience for Rochdale, who’re not exactly in a comfortable position in League One. That said, it’s unlikely the visitors will take it easy, as they’ll be keen to avoid further embarrassment. Drawing at home against a side three divisions below is bad enough.

Although it was a tight game and they certainly weren’t overly outplayed when the teams first met, Brian Barry-Murphy’s men can’t have been happy with their efforts. They failed to dominate against inferior opposition, while they could only muster one decent scoring chance.

Lack of goals

In the initial game, there was a distinct lack of high-quality scoring chances. Boston forged one good chance, while Rochdale were mainly restricted to shots from distance. On that occasion, the pair shared just five shots on target, the majority of which came from outside the box. Keeping this in mind, ‘Under 2.5 Goals’ stands out in the betting.

Neither side will want to do anything stupid, while the hosts haven’t made a habit of being involved in high-scoring games at this venue. Less than three goals have been scored in only two of Boston’s seven home games in the National League North this season.

In the ‘Correct Score’ market, a 1-0 win for the hosts appeals most. They are the side playing at a lower level, but Boston shut out Rochdale away from home, so they’ll fancy themselves to do the same here. Moreover, they restricted Dale to minimal chances, which is encouraging. The fact Rochdale failed to score away against Non-League Wrexham in the previous round is also encouraging. The hosts have a good scoring record at home and it was they who just about created the best chance in the reverse fixture, so a small play on Boston stealing it stands out as the best option.