Rochdale will aim for back-to-back home wins in League Two this Saturday when they host Gillingham at Spotland. The match comes after a 3-0 victory over Shrewsbury Town, which provided a vital boost for a side sitting 19th in the table with three points from four games.
According to data compiled by the BBC, Rochdale's current league position reflects a challenging start. They have one win and three losses, scoring four goals but conceding six for a minus-two goal difference. That leaves them six points behind early leaders Bristol Rovers. Their next challenge after this weekend is an away trip to face third-placed Walsall on September 12th, a fixture detailed on the club's fixtures page.
What is the recent form of both teams?
Rochdale's season has been inconsistent. The high point was the comprehensive 3-0 win against Shrewsbury. However, that result is bookended by defeats to Colchester United, Crawley Town, Newport County, and Bradford City. Their attack has found the net four times, but defensive frailties have been costly.
Gillingham arrive with an identical three-point haul, placing them 21st. Their only point from the last two league games came from a 1-1 draw with Chesterfield. They followed that with a 3-0 loss to Walsall. Their campaign also includes draws with Northampton Town and Fleetwood Town, and a heavy League Cup defeat to Luton Town. Their overall goal tally stands at just two scored.
What does the head-to-head history show?
The historical record heavily favors the visitors. Gillingham are unbeaten in their last seven league meetings with Rochdale, a run stretching back to September 2018. That sequence includes four wins and three draws. Rochdale's last win was that 3-0 triumph over five years ago.
More concerning for Dale fans is Gillingham's recent success at Spotland. The Kent club have won their last two away league games against Rochdale. This is the only time they have managed consecutive away wins against Dale in EFL history. The most recent meeting, in February 2023, ended in a 2-0 win for Gillingham.
Why is a home win so significant for Rochdale?
Securing another victory on Saturday would mark a notable milestone. Rochdale have not won consecutive home matches in League Two since April 2023. Achieving that against a team with such a strong recent hold over them would provide a major psychological lift. It would also help them climb away from the lower reaches of the standings.
For Gillingham, the match presents a chance to halt an unwanted trend. They have lost their last two league games against sides promoted last season. They last endured a longer such run between April and October 2016, when they lost four in a row against promoted clubs.
How do the teams compare statistically?
A look at the early-season numbers highlights both teams' struggles in front of goal. While Rochdale have scored four, Gillingham have only managed two. Defensively, both have been leaky, with Rochdale conceding six and Gillingham letting in multiple goals in several matches. The upcoming game could be decided by which side can tighten up at the back while being more clinical in attack. Fans can track player contributions on the club's stats hub.
The referee's whistle at Spotland on Saturday will signal the start of a important early-season clash. Both Rochdale and Gillingham are desperate for points to move up the League Two table.
