Match Report
20 points separated the sides: Crewe Alexandra 13th on 58, Rochdale 24th on 38. Rochdale's recent output outran their position: 16th on form over five rounds, 24th in the table. In league terms the two rates read 1.04/1.3 for Crewe Alexandra and 1/1.52 for Rochdale (scored/conceded per game); the competition average is 1.17.
Rochdale had lost three in a row.
Across 9 recorded meetings, Crewe Alexandra have 2 wins to Rochdale's 3, with 4 draws, at 3.78 goals per meeting. Hosting has counted for little in this fixture — the home side has won only 33% of those meetings. The fixture leans high-scoring: 67% of meetings brought at least three goals, and both sides scored in 67%.
The venue was Alexandra Stadium in Crewe, with room for 10,153 spectators. Half-time and full-time told different stories: it was 0-0 at the break, before 2 more goals closed it at 1-1.