Rochdale vs FC United – Local derby could provide cup upset
Published:Rochdale may be in for a shock when they take to the field for their home tie with FC United of Manchester on Friday night.
The League One club are used to playing in front of an average of 3,443 at their Spotland Stadium, but FC United, who play in the seventh tier of English football and regularly attract over 1,000 each week, have sold out their 3,400 allocation of tickets.
With a raucous away following, the semi-professional club have a better chance of coming away with a result that the 8/1 to beat Rochdale suggests.
FC United have made strong progress in their five year history, winning promotion to the seventh tier of English football after entering at the tenth, including promotion to the Northern Premier League Premier Division last season.
FC Untied currently lie in 15th place after 12 games, with six wins and six losses this season but enter the game on the back of a six match winning streak in all competitions.
In those six games FC United have scored 20 goals and Rochdale will need to be aware of Mike Norton who has 12 goals in 17 starts and is 4/1 to score any time.
Rochdale have started life in League One well after winning promotion last season and currently find themselves in mid table obscurity.
The Dale are 1/3 to beat FC United but the defence has conceded over a goal a game at home and Rochdale may need to score two or more to progress and midfielder Gary Jones has been their main source of goals this season – he is 11/5 to score any time.
The FA Cup always throws up a few surprises and FC United could be one of the teams that features in the draw for the second round.
9/1 is available for Rochdale to win the game 3-1. See the full Rochdale vs FC United of Manchester betting odds here.
