Match Report
The table gap was wide: 30 points between Sunderland (4th, 77 pts) and Rochdale (21st, 47 pts). Rochdale had been over-performing their table position on recent form: 7th in the league over the last five rounds against 21st overall. In league terms the two rates read 1.52/0.91 for Sunderland and 1.33/1.7 for Rochdale (scored/conceded per game); the competition average is 1.31.
6 matches unbeaten backed Sunderland's arrival, having scored in 15 consecutive games. Rochdale had not won in 7 games. Over the last five, Sunderland had taken 11 of 15 points to Rochdale's 2.
The sides have met 5 times in the GioScore results database: 4 wins for Sunderland, 1 draw and 0 for Rochdale, at 3.6 goals per meeting. History gives the home side just 40% of the wins in this matchup. History points to goals: 100% of the meetings had three or more, and both sides scored in 80%.
Stadium of Light in Sunderland staged the fixture, a ground that holds 49,000. On the scoreboard, Sunderland led 2-0 at the break, and no goals arrived after the restart: 2-0 the final score.