Match Preview: Rochdale v Altrincham, National League, March 11 2025

A crucial game in the National League play-off race takes place tomorrow night when Rochdale host Altrincham for the second time in 11 days.

The hosts are looking to make it four wins in a row in all competitions as they hunt a third successive league victory during the local, Greater Manchester, derby.

While the visitors will be looking for redemption at the Crown Oil Arena following their 2-0 defeat there at the beginning of the month in an FA trophy encounter. 

Form 

Rochdale 

Dale have lost just one of their previous seven National League fixtures, but have only won two in that time, with both victories coming in their last couple of encounters against play-off hopeful's Gateshead and survival fighting Wealdstone. 

The Crown Oil Arena has become somewhat of a fortress for Jim McNulty’s side this season as they have claimed nine victories on home soil, losing on only four occasions.

They sit just outside the play-off places, with two games in hand on the visitors in seventh who are three points ahead. 

Despite sitting in eighth place, they have three games in hand on Halifax in sixth, and three games on three of the four sides above the Shaymen and four on league leaders Barnet. 

Altrincham 

The Robins will be looking to bounce back from defeat last time out when they were beaten by an in-form Southend side in Essex. 

Phil Parkinson’s outfit have only lost on three occasions this calendar year, but all three defeats have come in their last five encounters, with AFC Fylde bringing an end to their unbeaten run towards the end of February. 

Alty sit in seventh place as they look to seal a second successive play-off campaign. 

One’s to watch 

Rochdale: Kairo Mitchell 

Kairo Mitchell started the season in fine form as he registered 11 goal contributions in the opening nine games. 

Now sat on 13 league goals he remains Rochdale’s top marksman this campaign and will be looking to get back to his spectacular early season form.

His last goal came in the added time against Tamworth in February, as he rescued a point for his side four minutes after being introduced to proceedings. 

While he has only scored two in his last ten, he still remains an influential figure for the Dale and will certainly be one to look out for. 

Dale number seven Tarryn Allarakhia will also be one to watch for the hosts as he looks to make it four goals in as many games. 

Altrincham: Regan Linney 

Linney has been an influential figure for the Robins this season, as he has found the back of the net on 19 occasions in the league. 

Often deployed as a sole striker, the number nine is enduring the finest scoring season of his career, while also picking up six assists in the process. 

He seems to have formed a formidable partnership with fellow forward Alex Newby, who also has twenty six goal contributions to his name. 

Match Details 

The encounter gets underway at 7:45pm at the Crown Oil Arena in Rochdale and will be broadcast live on DAZN.