Prediction: Rochdale vs Tottenham

Verdict: Tottenham and over 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 4/7

For the hosts on Sunday afternoon, Keith Hill’s League One strugglers will be hoping that a season’s best performance against the Premier League giants will help improve the atmosphere around the Spotland Stadium. Despite seeing off Championship side Millwall in the last round of the Cup, The Dale, have drastically struggled after an impressive season last year. Coming off the back of a 3-2 loss away at Bristol Rovers on Tuesday night, Rochdale have now only won once in their last 10 league outings and now sit bottom of the League One table and are already nine-points adrift of safety.

Team News

The good news for the home side is that have no recent injury troubles Only defender Niall Canavan remains on the sidelines with a long-term ankle injury.

Tottenham

Coming off the back of their dramatic 2-2 draw away at Juventus in Champions League last 16 matchup in midweek, Mauricio Pochettino’s side battled back from going 2-0 down after just nine minutes, taking two vital away goals into their second leg at Wembley in a fortnight, Spurs’ confidence will be sky high. Currently on a 13 match unbeaten run in all competitions, although Tottenham may sit fifth in the table, the North London club have recently beaten arch-rivals Arsenal 1-0 and now sit just four points off second place Manchester United. With the FA Cup now seen to be Tottenham’s most realistic piece of capturing silverware at the end of the season, Tottenham’s boss will be looking to play his strongest available side.

Tottenham are unlikely to field back-up goalkeeper Michel Vorm due to Dutchman having missed the trip to Juventus in mid-week with illness. In a boost for the visitors, Toby Alderweireld could feature having been left out of the Champions League squad against the Italian champions.

Key Factors to Consider

• Rochdale are struggling in League One, sitting bottom of the table and 11 points from safety.
• However, their 1-0 victory over Milwall was their first home win in six matches and Keith Hill’s side.
• Tottenham are on an impressive run of form and are on a 13-match unbeaten run.
• Spurs striker Harry Kane has now scored 15 goals in his last 12 matches in all competitions.
• Not since 2002 have Spurs made the last eight in the FA Cup in consecutive seasons

Conclusion

Although it may have taken Spurs’ two attempts to come past Newport in the fourth-round, Tottenham will travel to Greater Manchester with their confidence at an all-time high. Putting on another dominant display in the Champions League, Pochettino’s side are unbeaten in their last 13 matches in all competitions and will look to carry on their fine run of form against a Rochdale side who currently sit bottom of League One.

Verdict: Tottenham and over 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 4/7