Rochdale host recently relegated Forest Green at Spotland in our 'Game In Focus.'
The 2023/2024 season was Rochdale's first ever in non-league. It was a season of stabilisation for Dale after a hectic couple of years, as Jim McNulty's side came 11th in the league.
Teenage sensation George Nevett was sold to League One Peterborough, providing a nice cash flow for the cash-strapped side.
Rochdale started the season by sweeping aside recently promoted Boston United 0-3 thanks to a Devante Rodney brace. Keeping the 26-year-old fit will be pivotal for Rochdale if they are to mount any sort of playoff push.
They were then held to a drab 1-1 draw at home to Dagenham and Redbridge, before losing 1-0 to York in a match that York were leading after two minutes and could've won by more.
Dale look out-of-sorts, lacking cohesion and a structured game plan - something McNulty needs to address quickly.
Forest Green endured a torrid League 2 season, suffering their second relegation. Keen to ensure a quick return, Dale Vince has invested heavily in the playing squad again.
Cheltenham's top scorer and Player of the Season Liam Sercombe and captain Sean Long rejected a new contract at the League Two club to sign for Steve Cotterill's side. Ben Tozer was also a stand-out signing from Wrexham.
Forest Green were priced as second-favourites for the title and started the season with a 3-3 draw with Aldershot in a topsy-turvy game. The Shots raced into a 2-0 lead after just 13 minutes, before goals from Ryan Inniss, Kyle McAllister and Christian Doidge looked to have sealed a remarkable comeback for Rovers. However, James Henry secured a point late on for The Shots.
They followed this up with a resounding 0-4 win at Boston thanks to braces from Liam Sercombe and Christian Doidge. A 74th-minute red card from Sean Long allowed Barnet to steal a 93rd-minute winner in the last encounter. It's been a mixed start for Rovers, but one they will be satisfied with.
Christian Doidge is a hugely popular figure at The New Lawn. After 27 and 20 goals in his two full seasons and 14 in half a season, he was signed by Championship side Bolton, before a successful few years in Scotland with Hibernian.
The 31-year-old returned to Forest Green in January with the aim of keeping the side up, but his three goals were not enough.
However, with a full pre-season behind him at a club where he is loved, he has started the season strong with two goals and looks a good price to make it four.
Christian Doidge to score @3.40 - Bet365
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