Crunch final-day encounter could ignite after the break

Sky Bet League One
Sky Sports Football, 5.30pm Saturday

At this stage of the campaign it is can be hard to find matches which carry significance for both clubs. Saturday's match at Spotland is certainly an exception.

Hosts Rochdale know that they must better the result of Lancashire rivals Oldham, who travel to Northampton, to stave off relegation while opponents Charlton should, barring a sizeable Plymouth win at Gillingham, secure a playoff berth if they avoid defeat.

If Northampton were to beat Oldham then a draw would be beneficial for both sides in realising their differing aims but Rochdale, in particular, are unlikely to leave things to chance.

Despite winning their last three games in Sky Bet League One, Charlton have been rated as underdogs by bookmakers for this evening’s showdown and while their situation isn’t quite as defined as Rochdale’s – Plymouth would need a seven-goal swing in their favour to pip the Addicks to the final playoff berth – they too would be unlikely to sit back if their position was put in any sort of jeopardy as the game progresses.

The opening halves of both sides’ matches this season have contained fewer goals than the second period, with 61 per cent of goals in Rochdale’s 45 games scored after the break and 68 per cent in Charlton’s.

Backing that trend to continue in this crunch encounter could pay dividends again.

Recommendation
Second half to contain most goals
2pts 6-5 Betfair

Sky Bet League One standings

Bet on this game at Soccerbase.com

Team news
Rochdale
Ian Henderson is back from suspension and Matty Gillam could feature but Keith Keane, Andy Cannon and Niall Canavan (ankle) are out.

Charlton
Joe Aribo (shin) could return but Tarique Fosu-Henry is a doubt with a hamstring injury.

Key stat
Of the 50 league goals Charlton have conceded this season, 32 have come in the second half.

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