Rochdale - Gillingham

Rochdale enter this matchday 5 fixture at Crown Oil Arena with renewed confidence following their dominant 3-0 victory over Shrewsbury Town on 1 September 2026. This emphatic result provided a vital spark after a challenging start to the campaign, which saw the side endure a winless run across various competitions throughout August. By finding their clinical edge in front of goal, the hosts have finally established a foundation to build upon as they look to climb the League Two table.

Gillingham arrive in search of their first win of the season, having navigated a series of tight encounters recently. Their latest outing on 1 September 2026 ended in a 1-1 draw against Chesterfield, marking a third consecutive stalemate for the visitors. History suggests this will be a demanding test, as Gillingham have enjoyed success in recent meetings, including a 2-0 victory on 18 February 2023.