Rochdale VS Sunderland U21 Match Prediction

  • Logo2016-09-06
  • Logo18:45:00
Rochdale
VS
Sunderland U21

Our Prediction Tip

Sunderland U21 will win this match.

There are no games on record between Rochdale and Sunderland, so the head-to-head record is barren here and we can learn nothing from it about Tuesday's EFL Trophy tie. Whoever wins the match will make history as this will be the first ever match Rochdale and Sunderland.

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Rochdale v Sunderland: Prediction

Academy sides have found it hard in the EFL Trophy so far, with the extra first-team experience of the lower-league players making the difference in the competition. But Sunderland have one of the better academy teams on the circuit - they are unbeaten in three matches this season - and some of the players likely to be included on Tuesday have already had a taste of the Premier League this season under the club's new manager David Moyes. Rochdale will see this match as a chance to break out of their poor run of form in the league, but Sunderland's  academy XI can pile on the misery.

Rochdale v Sunderland: Betting Tips

A price of 6/4 on Rochdale to win does not look to be particularly good value given they have only won one match in any competition so far this season and they are bottom of League One after six games of the new campaign. But the lower-league sides have generally come out on top against academy teams in the EFL Trophy, so perhaps the hosts should be backed here.

Sunderland's team can be backed at odds of 5/2 here and the draw is available at around the same mark, while under 2.5 goals stands out at a price of 23/20 in the betting for this EFL Trophy tie, which takes place at Spotland on Tuesday.

Bottom of League One after six games, the EFL Cup is the only competition in which Rochdale have tasted victory in this season, with the academy of Premier League Sunderland visiting Spotland on Tuesday. It is unclear how seriously Rochdale will take this tournament given they look set for a relegation battle, while attendances have been very low in the revamped EFL Trophy so their home advantage may not count for much.

Rochdale likely XI:

  • Goalkeeper:- Logan

  • Defenders:- Rafferty, Canavan, McGahey, McNulty

  • Midfielders:- Odelusi, Henderson, Allen, Cannon, Mendez-Laing

  • Forwards:- Davies

Sunderland's academy team beat Southampton 3-0 in their last competitive fixture and a similar line-up is expected to be named by the Premier League club for this EFL Trophy tie. The idea behind the competition is to give young players more action so some stars of the future could be on show here. The likes of Joel Asoro, likely to start up front for Sunderland, have already featured for David Moyes in the Premier League this season.

Sunderland likely XI:

  • Goalkeeper:- Stryjek

  • Defenders:- Love, Wright, T Robson, J Robson

  • Midfielders:- Maja, E Robson, Honeyman, Greenwood, Brady

  • Forwards:- Asoro

Sunderland will be out to prove themselves here, with places in the first-team squad up for grabs for those who can make a positive impression against Rochdale. The League One side have had a poor start to the season and Sunderland can make it worse, with the Premier League academy team having enough quality to win this cup tie. Away win.
This will be the first ever competitive match that has taken place between Rochdale and Sunderland in any tournament.