Rochdale vs Port Vale Predictions

• Only two teams have scored more than Port Vale’s 35 league goals this season, and only seven have netted more than Rochdale’s 30.
• Rochdale have, however, also conceded 30 goals this term, more than all bar six teams in the fourth tier.
• There have been over 2.5 goals scored in each of Rochdale’s last four games, and each of Port Vale’s last three.

Entertainment likely at Spotland

Both Rochdale and Port Vale were out of action on Boxing Day, with Covid-19 continuing to cripple the English football calendar. However, Wednesday’s meeting at Spotland should bring plenty of entertainment, with both teams ranking among League Two’s better attacking outfits.

Rochdale have both scored and conceded 30 league goals this term, giving them the fourth tier’s seventh-best attack and sixth-worst defence. Robbie Stockdale’s team have seen over 2.5 goals scored in each of their last four games, and have kept just two clean sheets in their last 12 matches.

Port Vale’s Coronavirus-enforced absence has lasted almost three weeks, so there could be some rustiness for them to shake off on Wednesday night. Port Vale’s last three games have all featured three goals or more, and despite their promotion challenge, the Staffordshire club have kept just one clean sheet in their last nine.

Back goals in unpredictable affair?

Rochdale were on a run of six without a win before a superb 3-0 win over Newport County, just over a week ago. Port Vale, meanwhile, were beaten by Newport on their last outing in early December, having won their previous three games.

With both teams experiencing enforced breaks in their fixture lists, this match could be an unpredictable affair, potentially making over 2.5 match goals the smartest play. An entertaining 2-2 draw, meanwhile, could represent a decent correct score prediction, with Port Vale’s 11 away games having featured 34 goals to date.