Rochdale vs Sunderland. Sky Bet League One.
SpotlandAttendance6,546.
Thursday 4 April 2019 18:45, UK
New Rochdale boss Brian Barry-Murphy faces a major test to preserve his unbeaten start as promotion-chasing Sunderland head for the Crown Oil Arena on Saturday.
Barry-Murphy was appointed as Keith Hill's permanent replacement on Wednesday after guiding the relegation-threatened League One club to two wins and two draws as caretaker manager to rekindle their survival hopes.
Keeper Josh Lillis resumed after a seven-game injury lay-off for last weekend's 1-1 draw at Gillingham with emergency loan signing Andy Lonergan having deputised in his absence. Rekeil Pyke is closing in on a return after six games on the sidelines, as is loan signing Zach Clough, who has missed the last three.
Sunderland boss Jack Ross will make late decisions over influential midfielders Aiden McGeady and Lee Cattermole. McGeady limped out of Wednesday night's 3-0 win at Accrington at half-time with an ankle/foot problem which Ross is hopeful is only minor, while Cattermole missed out completely at the Wham Stadium with a niggling injury in a similar area.
Lewis Morgan replaced McGeady - who scored his third goal in four days in that game - in midweek, while George Honeyman is back in contention after completing his three-match ban. Full-back Reece James is set to miss out with a groin problem, although with Bryan Oviedo and Denver Hume back fit, Ross has options.
Rochdale will be hosting Sunderland in a competitive match for the first time in their history.
Sunderland won the reverse fixture 4-1 in September thanks to braces from both Josh Maja and Lynden Gooch.
Rochdale are unbeaten in their last four league games (W2 D2); this after losing each of the four games beforehand.
Sunderland have lost the fewest games (2) and conceded the fewest goals (16) of any team away from home in League One this season.
Ian Henderson has scored 10 league goals at the Crown Oil Arena in 2019 - he last netted more home goals in a single league campaign in 2014-15 (15).
Rochdale have gone four unbeaten since parting company with manager Keith Hill, and their game in hand on most of the sides above them gives them a real opportunity of survival.
Sunderland needed to bounce back quickly from their defeat at Wembley last weekend, and they did just that at Accrington on Wednesday. They are right in the battle for the top two now and have momentum in the league. Away win.
David Prutton predicts: 0-2 (8/1 with Sky Bet)
