Newcastle vs Rochdale Predictions

• Newcastle have seen over 2.5 goals in their last 6 FA Cup victories.
• Rochdale have lost 7 of their 13 away trips in League One this term.
• Dale have seen over 2.5 goals in 77% of their league trips, conceding just under 2 goals per game.
• Newcastle have scored 3+ goals in 4 of their last 5 home victories in the FA Cup.

Can Newcastle Show up for the Cup?

Newcastle’s long-running wait for silverware continues, with the Tynesiders desperate for some kind of shining light in the gloomy Mike Ashley years. Their cup struggles were highlighted in their 1-1 draw at League One Rochdale in the Third Round, with Steve Bruce and his men now hosting the third-tier side at St James’ Park this week.

Bruce and his team have a chance to put things right, with a home tie against League One Oxford awaiting the winner of this tie. Could the Magpies take this chance for a cup run?

Opportunity for Bruce

The hosts come into this clash winless in five matches, while they are only five points clear of the bottom three. It has been a difficult season for Steve Bruce, who always had an uphill battle succeeding Rafa Benitez. However, the boyhood Newcastle fan should know just how important this competition could be for his club.

Bruce did name a strong side for his trip to Spotland, while he’ll look to do the same again to dispatch the side who are 18th in League One. While Dale have already pushed Manchester United to penalties in the EFL Cup this term, we expect Newcastle to have a more comfortable night in this replay. That’s despite their poor record over the years in the cup.

Goals on the Tyne

The hosts have claimed just six FA Cup victories in a run which dates back to 2008. They’ve frequently put their league campaign ahead of this competition, but now a path to the Fifth Round has opened up. The Magpies are heavy favourites against a Dale side who have lost seven of 13 trips in League One this term. The visitors have won one and lost 11 of their clashes with the top 12 in League One this term, so they should struggle in this trip.

By Newcastle’s standards, this should be a high scoring clash. The favourites have seen over 2.5 goals land in each of their last six FA Cup victories. Those wins mostly come at home, meaning they’ve won five of their last nine at St James’ Park in this competition. In that time, they’ve kept one clean sheet and haven’t lost to a lower league side.

With Newcastle conceding in nine of their last 10 home FA Cup games and given their high scoring history here, we expect goals at St James’ Park this week, Dale have seen over 2.5 goals in 77% of their trips in League One this term, mostly due to the fact they’ve conceded 1.8 goals per trip. We expect that form to be exposed against top-flight opposition, so we’re backing over 2.5 goals along with a 3-1 victory for the Magpies – who have scored three in four of their last five home victories in this competition.