Rochdale are set to host Woking at the Crown Oil Arena in a fixture that highlights the stark contrasts at either end of the English National League table. The home side arrives in formidable form and firmly in contention at the division’s summit, whilst Woking will be eager to halt a concerning run of results and ascend from the lower reaches.
The Dale have been in exceptional form of late, remaining undefeated in their last nine outings. Their previous five matches have delivered three victories and two draws, a testament to a robust defence that has conceded in only one of those games. Furthermore, their attacking threat is underscored by the fact they have found the net in their last seventeen consecutive matches. Woking, conversely, have found consistency elusive. Their last five fixtures have seen two wins and three losses, with their most recent encounter ending in defeat. Despite these struggles, they have managed to score in their last three games, indicating an offensive capability that could still pose a challenge.
Historically, Rochdale have held a slight edge over Woking in recent encounters. Across the last three seasons, the two sides have met five times, with Rochdale securing two victories to Woking’s one, alongside two draws. The current season’s previous meeting between the two ended in a goalless stalemate. Last season, Rochdale recorded a dominant 3-0 home win, though Woking managed to salvage a 1-1 draw at home in their other fixture. Rochdale’s attacking prowess was particularly evident in last season’s home triumph, with Kairo Mitchell netting twice.
The league standings paint a clear picture of the teams’ respective campaigns. Rochdale sit proudly at the top of the division, boasting an impressive 75 points from 31 games. Their record of 24 wins, 3 draws, and just 4 losses, coupled with a substantial goal difference of +37, unequivocally underscores their status as genuine title contenders. Woking, meanwhile, occupy 12th position with 38 points from 30 matches. Their record stands at 10 wins, 8 draws, and 12 defeats, with a goal difference of +6.
A victory for Rochdale would solidify their commanding position at the top and further galvanise their momentum as they pursue promotion. Conversely, a loss could allow their rivals to narrow the gap. For Woking, three points would be invaluable in their quest to climb the table and create a greater distance from any potential relegation concerns. A draw would offer a slight reprieve but is unlikely to significantly alter their league standing, whilst defeat would undoubtedly heap further pressure onto their season.
