We turn our focus to the weekend with a full and in-depth preview of Rochdale's visit to The Dunes Hotel Stadium.
Barrow v Rochdale
Saturday 30th October 2021, 3pm
The Dunes Hotel Stadium
Sky Bet League Two
In Opposition
Rochdale will arrive in Cumbria this weekend looking to build on a confidence-boosting win over Sutton United on home soil last time out.
Now under the watch of Robbie Stockdale who was appointed as boss during the summer, Dale overcame The U’s 3-2 but did it the hard way having first squandered a two-goal lead.
Dale had been without a victory since the middle of September so it could prove an important moment for the Lancashire outfit as they look to climb the League Two table.
One To Watch
Attacking midfielder Alex Newby has had a strong start to the season for Rochdale and he’s top scored from midfield for Robbie Stockdale’s men so far.
The former Barrow man joined Dale last summer after a short spell on the books at Chorley having come through the ranks at Bolton Wanderers.
Newby was among the scorers in Rochdale’s brilliant win over Sutton United last week to take his tally for the season to three and he will be hoping to build that on his return to Barrow on Saturday.
Head To Head
In all, Saturday’s game will be the 85th competitive meeting between the two clubs but it’s the first time since a 2017 FA Cup tie in Cumbria which was won 2-0 by Rochdale.
This season is the first time that the two clubs have shared a division since the 1969/70 campaign and the last league encounter in Barrow went 2-0 in The Bluebirds’ favour.
Referee
We welcome Declan Bourne to The Dunes Hotel Stadium for the first time this season on Saturday when he is the man in the middle for our encounter with Rochdale.
The official is now into his second season on the EFL’s list of referees having been promoted from the National League alongside The Bluebirds in 2020.
Bourne has taken charge of nine games so far this term, the most recent at Prenton Park earlier this month for Tranmere Rovers’ 2-2 draw with Harrogate Town.
Tickets
Tickets for Saturday’s game are available in advance online and from The Dunes Hotel Stadium and we’ll be open until 4pm on Friday.
On the day of the game, tickets will be available from 12noon from Main Reception (card payment only) and from the Ticket Booth in the Fan Zone (cash and card payment).
Click here for all the information you need on buying tickets for Saturday’s game.
Live Streaming
There will be no live stream for fans living in the UK due to the restrictions around Saturday afternoon broadcasting.
However, fans who live abroad will be able to access live footage as normal and can pick up their International Video Match Pass right now for just £10.
Click here to add your Match Pass ahead of kick-off.
Live Commentary
iFollow is the only place that fans can listen to live online commentary of every game this season as we continue our link-up with our friends at BBC Radio Cumbria.
Fans will be able to listen to expert Bluebirds commentator Adam Johnson, who will be joined by John Goodwin to describe all the action as it unfolds against Dale.
You can purchase an Audio Match Pass for £2.50, an Audio Monthly Pass for £4.49 or sign-up for Audio Season Pass which provides all live commentary and video news for just £45.
Click here now to subscribe to iFollow.
Betting
Barrow have been made favourites to collect three points this weekend at odds of 6/4, while visitors Dale are a 9/5 price for victory and the draw is available at 21/10 with our friends at Sky Bet.
Click here now to take a look at a full list of markets ahead of this weekend’s game.