Thatsagoal.com
Premier League Newcastle United were dominant in the first half of the original tie, but could not put the game to bed and have to settle for a reply. Steve Bruces’ side are ravaged by injuries at the moment so even if he wanted to rest players for this game, he couldn’t. The likes of Allan Saint-Maximin, Jack Colback, Paul Dummett and Dwight Gayle are all missing, as well as six or seven others. Bruce would rather not have this tie at all. Newcastle haven’t won in five matches now and are at risk of an upset here, with the odds of 9/1 for Rochdale to win certainly tempting.
‘Dale have won their last two League one matches now and will go into this FA Cup third-round replay full of hope, backed by a large away following. At the odds for the match, I can’t help but fancy them to get a result here and it could even end up in Steve Bruce’s worst nightmare – extra-time. This extra 30 minutes will not do the Premier League sides growing injury list any good at all with Bruce saying a few players are already in the ‘red zone’.
