Rochdale - Oldham

Can Rochdale find the defensive consistency required to turn their fortunes around when they host Oldham Athletic at Crown Oil Arena on 19 September 2026? This matchday 7 encounter pits two sides searching for rhythm in the early stages of the League Two campaign. Rochdale will look to build on the defensive resilience shown in their recent goalless draw against Walsall, having previously struggled to contain Gillingham in a heavy defeat. They will rely on the attacking spark that saw them dismantle Shrewsbury Town 3-0 earlier this month to unsettle the visitors.

Oldham Athletic arrive aiming to recover from a difficult run, having suffered consecutive losses to Chesterfield and Tranmere Rovers. Their recent form has been inconsistent, oscillating between the clinical performance that secured a 3-0 victory over Swindon Town and a lack of cutting edge in subsequent weeks. Given the competitive history between these clubs, including a narrow 1-0 win for Oldham in their February 2025 meeting, both teams will be desperate to establish control in the midfield to dictate the tempo of this contest.