National League leaders Forest Green Rovers host Rochdale at The New Lawn tomorrow afternoon in a top-of-the-table clash.

Rovers extended their unbeaten start in the league to 13 games on Wednesday night as they drew 0-0 at Boston United.

Ahead of tomorrow’s fixture, here is everything you need to know about our opposition.

The Opposition: Rochdale

Nickname: ‘The Dale’

League Position: 2nd

Rochdale have made a superb start to their league campaign, sitting second in the table on 27 points having played just 11 games. They have two games in hand on Rovers and are just two points behind, despite suffering defeat at home to Halifax on Wednesday night. They are the second highest scorers in the division and have the joint-best defence along with Rovers conceding just the seven goals.

The club are in their third season back as a National League side after suffering relegation from League Two in the 2022/23 season, finishing bottom with 38 points. The following campaign saw the Dale finish 11th on their return to England’s fifth tier and they would end last season in a Play Off place finishing in 4th. They would suffer defeat in the play-offs at the quarter final stage as Southend United saw off the Dale in a seven-goal thriller, with the Shrimpers going on to knock-out Rovers on penalties in the semi-finals.

In The Dugout: Jim McNulty

Former Dale defender Jim McNulty is the current man in the dugout at Rochdale.

After the club were relegated from the Football League in 2023, McNulty was appointed as the permanent Manager of the club after a spell as interim manager.

Under his leadership, the club has made progress in the league year on year having finished 11th and 4th in his two full campaigns in charge.

Alongside player Dieseruvwe, McNulty was nominated and awarded National League Manager of the Month for August after the club’s strong start.

The 40-year-old will be looking to secure a statement victory this afternoon and see his side return to the top of the table.

Player To Watch: Emmanuel Dieseruvwe

Striker Emmanuel Dieseruvwe has made an impressive start to this season’s National League campaign.

The forward is currently the joint-top goal scorer in the league, having found the back of the net nine times in 10 games.

The 30-year-old joined the club in the Summer having departed fellow National League side Hartlepool United.

Having scored five goals in the month of August, the player was nominated and awarded the National League Player of the Month.

A striker who is in a great run of form, Rovers will need to keep a close eye on Dieseruvwe in and around the penalty area.

Head-To-Head:

Rovers are unbeaten in their last five fixtures against the Dale and will be looking to extend this run at The New Lawn tomorrow afternoon.

29/11/2008 - Rovers 2-0 Rochdale (Smith 27 & Low 56)

17/08/2021 - Rochdale 1-2 Rovers (Matt 33 & Stevens 49)

08/02/2022 - Rovers 2-1 Rochdale (Aitchison 73 & Stevens 86)

24/08/2024 - Rochdale 0-0 Rovers

18/01/2025 - Rovers 1-0 Rochdale (Sercombe 70)