Dale underdogs in trip to Cobblers

AS teams prepare to play their final match prior to embarking on a traditionally packed Christmas schedule, we’ve reached a stage in the season where jockeying for position often gives way to what becomes a serious challenge for silverware or promotion. Rochdale, who visit Northampton on Saturday, harbour realistic hopes of securing a play-off berth, though their away form may prove an Achilles heel.

The match stats team at bettingexpert.com remind us that as no side in the top half of League One has lost more away fixtures than Rochdale (6), it follows that, although they’re eight places above Northampton in the league table, it’s the Cobblers who are 188bet’s 6/4 favourites to secure victory in front of their own supporters. Rochdale, by contrast, kick off priced as bet365’s 2/1 underdogs to register three points.

While Rochdale have lacked consistency, especially away from home, punters might be tempted to take advantage of BetVictor’s 3/1 for them to win both halves, although more circumspect folks, interested in adding an element of insurance to that wager, might also fancy Skybet’s 4/6 posted in favour of both teams scoring.

With this in mind, note that William Hill offer 2/1 against the game’s opening goal arriving inside the first 15 minutes.

In other markets, Paddy Power consider Rochdale a 12/5 shot to win without conceding and Ladbrokes offer 4/1 against them winning without conceding.

Punters expecting a seasonal goalfest can get 16/1 (Ladbrokes) against it finishing 2-2, while 888sport post 6/1 about a 1-1 finish and Betfred chalk 10/1 against a 2-1 Rochdale victory.

Odds courtesy of customisable odds comparison site www. smartbets.com.