Gamweek 41 in the National League will see Rochdale taking on Maidenhead United at the Crown Oil Arena on Saturday afternoon.
The hosts have 52 points after 39 games this season, currently three places below the playoff qualification cutoff, while the visitors have 45 points and are still firmly in the relegation scrap.
Match preview
The clock is ticking for fan-owned Rochdale, who have until the end of the month to secure new investment, or they could be forced to liquidate after years of perilous finances.
However, while nothing is guaranteed just yet, recent reports suggest that the Dale could be saved from closing their doors, with Texas-based firm World Soccer Holdings believed to have signed a letter of intent to purchase the club in the coming weeks.
The hope of remaining in business has seemingly given the Dale some much-needed optimism, which has shown in their recent performances on the field, as they are currently unbeaten in their last three matches, including a draw against Oxford City and back-to-back wins over Woking and Eastleigh.
In midweek against the Spitfires, Paul McCallum's equalizer swiftly followed Kairo Mitchell's opener, but Jimmy Keohane ensured Rochdale led at halftime before Devante Rodney extended their lead, and Mitchell scored again to secure a decisive 4-1 victory.
Avoiding defeat on Saturday will mark the first time this season that Jim McNulty's side have gone four games in succession without losing, but it will not be an easy task against Maidenhead United, who held the Dale to a 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture back in October.
However, the Magpies have not been in the best form since the New Year and following their 4-1 defeat away to Dagenham in midweek, they are now just two points above York City, who are the first side below the dotted line.
The Daggers took a two-goal lead into the halftime break, and while Tristan Abrahams got his side back into the contest just after the hour mark, the Magpies could not find a leveller and instead conceded two late goals, resulting in their 16th loss this season and sixth in their last eight games.
That result also marked the second consecutive away match that Maidenhead have shipped four goals and was their fourth defeat in their five matches on the road, with their only victory in that time coming against Altrincham at the end of last month.
Team News
Rochdale have two long-term absentees in Bradley Kelly and Kyle Ferguson, who will remain sidelined for this match with a knee and hamstring injury respectively.
McNulty altered the lineup from their previous victory against Woking in midweek, with Cameron John replacing Finlay Armstrong, who was benched, and Keohane stepping in for Sam Mather, who was left out from the squad entirely.
Ian Henderson is ineligible for selection as he will be serving the second of his three-match suspension on Saturday for the straight red he was shown against Woking last week.
Abrahams scored for a second match in a row in midweek and should maintain his place in the Magpies attack alongside former Barnet attacker Sam Barratt.
Charlee Adams was brought in the second half against Dagenham and will be pushing for a starting 11 spot this week alongside Ashley Nathaniel-George and top scorer Reece Smith.
Rochdale possible starting lineup:
Brooks, Gordon, John, East, Ebanks-Landell, Mitchell; Rodney, Keohane, Nevett; Hayes, Gilmour
Maidenhead United possible starting lineup:
Ross; Asare, Massey, Ferdinand, Beckwith; De Havilland, Pettit, Smith, Nathaniel-George; Barratt, Abrahams
We say: Rochdale 2-1 Maidenhead United
Rochdale are carrying good momentum into this match and seem to have found some form in front of goal lately, scoring two or more goals in each of their last three games. Maidenhead's away record has been very poor over the last couple of months, and we feel that they will suffer a third consecutive defeat on the road in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Devesh Jaganath
