Rotherham vs Rochdale Predictions

• Only two teams have scored more goals than Rotherham in League 1 this season.
• Rochdale have claimed more points on the road than they have at Spotland this term.
• Rochdale are League 1’s fourth-worst team in terms of shots on target conceded on the road.
• Neither had side has won back-to-back renewals of this fixture since 2012.
• Each of the last five renewals of this fixture have been won by the away team.

Millers look to improve modest home form

After a relatively up and down first few months of the campaign, Rotherham, much as they did when they won promotion two seasons ago, have steadied themselves to emerge as clear play-off candidates. Paul Warne, who is going for a second promotion in three seasons, has his side nicely placed in 4^th position, just five points off the coveted top two. If they can improve their home form, then the Millers have got every chance of laying down a serious automatic-promotion challenge.

Away from home, Rotherham have been very good this term. They’ve claimed 19 points from ten travelling matches, which can only be bettered by Ipswich. Had they made New York Stadium more of a fortress, we’d be talking about title contenders. As it is, we’re not. Quite simply, Rotherham have been very so-so on their own patch, where they’ve won three, drawn two and lost three.

What does bode well for the hosts is that they’ve not conceded many goals at this venue, shipping only seven, which gives them the joint-second-best defensive record in the division. If they can spread the goals that they score out a bit more evenly, then a top-six finish is theirs.

Doesn’t get much easier for Dale

Unlike Rotherham, Rochdale come into this fixture in an unflattering 16^th position, while their recent form is nothing to write home about either. Brian Barry-Murphy’s men have lost each of their last five league matches.

In fairness to Dale they’ve not had the easiest run of fixtures having faced the likes of Portsmouth, Coventry, Ipswich, Bristol Rovers and Oxford, all of whom are in the top ten, three of which are in the top six. Things may get better soon enough, though it’s not as if they’ve been handed a gilt-edged opportunity here. Going away to face another of League 1’s top six is not exactly what the doctor ordered after such a run of defeats.

Rotherham’s to lose

Whichever way we look at it, this is Rotherham’s game to lose. Rochdale have struggled against top teams of late and The Millers are a top team, make no mistake about it. In the betting, ‘Rotherham to Win & Both Teams to Score’ catches the eye. For all they’re not the best at getting positive results in such games, Rochdale can score goals, particularly on their travels, where they’ve scored a very respectable 13. Unfortunately, they’ve just not done the business at the other end, conceding 19, shipping two or more in five of their last six on the road, as well as three or more in three of their last six.

Rotherham have a good defensive record at home, but they too have conceded their fair share of goals of late, so plumping for them to keep a clean sheet doesn’t appeal. Fortunately for them, they’ve got lots to offer going forward. Crucially, more than Saturday’s visitors.