Rochdale and Colchester United square off at Spotland on Friday night having both put together an average start to the new League Two campaign.
However, after failing to win any of their opening three games, both teams finally recorded their first victory last weekend.
Match preview
© Reuters
At a time when they have been distracted by matters relating to the potential takeover of the club, it has not come as a huge surprise to see Rochdale featuring at the bottom end of the table.
However, the North-West outfit have enjoyed a far better few days, backing up a win at Northampton Town with victory away at Shrewsbury Town in the EFL Cup.
Having pushed standout side Forest Green Rovers earlier in the month, Robbie Stockdale will argue that those two results have been coming and that there is reason for optimism both on and off the pitch.
Stockdale will also be encouraged that five different players have gotten on the scoresheet during their last two games, all but one of those efforts coming during the final quarter.
While a game just three days after their trip to Shrewsbury may be tough on the legs, there are signs that this group of players only get stronger as each game progresses.
The opposite can be said of their next opponents, whose only second-half goal of the season has come from the penalty spot in the 90th minute against Mansfield Town on August 17.
Nevertheless, Saturday's win at bottom-of-the-table Oldham Athletic has got The U's up and running for the season, the club now sitting in 13th position.
When you also take into consideration that Colchester pushed Birmingham City close in the EFL Cup, this team appear to be trending in the right direction under Hayden Mullins.
On a negative note, just one of their three goals have been scored from open play, the other two being netted from 12 yards out by Freddie Sears.
- L
- D
- L
- W
- L
- D
- L
- W
- W
- D
- L
- D
- W
- D
- L
- L
- D
- W
Team News
Sam Graham and Matty Done could both miss out for Rochdale for the second game running after picking up injuries last weekend.
Jeriel Dorsett and Jimmy Keohane may deputise again after impressing against Shrewsbury on Tuesday, with Danny Cashman and Jake Beesley also pushing for opportunities in the final third.
Goalkeeper Jay Lynch should return between the sticks, despite Joel Coleman keeping a clean sheet against League One opposition.
Barring any late fitness issues, Mullins will almost certainly stick with the same Colchester XI which started at Boundary Park.
Rochdale possible starting lineup:
Lynch; Taylor, O'Connell, Dorsett; O'Keeffe, Morley, Dooley, Keohane; Odoh, Andrews, Newby
Colchester United possible starting lineup:
George; Welch-Hayes, Chambers, Smith, Daniels; Sarpong-Wiredu, Judge; Sears, Chilvers, Jasper; Nouble
We say: Rochdale 1-1 Colchester United
After the relief of last weekend, both teams may be prepared to play with a certain level of freedom on Friday night.
However, ahead of a game between two seemingly well-matched sides, we can only predict a low-scoring draw.
Top tip
Data Analysis
Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Rochdale win with a probability of 36.69%. A win for Colchester United had a probability of 34.81% and a draw had a probability of 28.5%.
The most likely scoreline for a Rochdale win was 1-0 with a probability of 11.84%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-1 (7.7%) and 2-0 (6.87%). The likeliest Colchester United win was 0-1 (11.45%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (13.28%). The actual scoreline of 1-1 was predicted with a 13.3% likelihood.
