Rochdale vs Walsall. Sky Bet League One.
SpotlandAttendance3,080.
Thursday 23 August 2018 18:24, UK
Rochdale may have to make a change in goal for the visit of Walsall in Sky Bet League One after Josh Lillis was forced off injured against Barnsley in midweek.
Magnus Norman, on loan from Fulham, could continue after replacing Lillis for the final half-hour of the 4-0 loss. Manager Keith Hill may consider other changes following the Barnsley thrashing. Hill's side have conceded four in each of their last two home games and will hope to end that sequence.
Walsall boss Dean Keates must consider whether to stick with the side that beat AFC Wimbledon 3-1 in midweek or restore Zeli Ismail. Midfielder Ismail has missed the last two games with a knock.
Midfielder Joe Edwards (knee) and defender Kory Roberts (broken leg) are long-term absentees. Liam Kinsella, Kane Wilson and Chris Dunn will all continue to push for starts after being on the bench in recent games.
Rochdale are unbeaten in their last five games against Walsall (W4 D1), including a 3-0 win in their most recent meeting in March 2018.
Walsall have only won one of their last six league visits to the Crown Oil Arena (D2 L3), a 2-1 win over Rochdale back in August 2015.
Rochdale have conceded four goals in back to back home league matches - the first time they've done so since February 1939 when they lost 4-3 to Hartlepool and 5-4 to Halifax Town in the Third Division North.
Walsall manager Dean Keates has won each of his last three matches in all competitions - as many as he'd won in his first 11 games in charge of the Saddlers (D3 L5).
Rochdale striker Ian Henderson has been involved in all five of their League One goals this season (3 goals, 2 assists).
