Rochdale are expected to start their EFL Trophy Group H campaign with victory over Liverpool Under-21s at Spotland on Tuesday.
The League Two side should have too much for the Reds youngsters as they look to make a positive start in a pool which also contains Huddersfield Town and Doncaster Rovers.
Rochdale v Liverpool U21 Tips Summary
Best Bet - Rochdale to win @ 19/20
Alternative Bet - Rochdale goals range 2-4 @ 4/5
Bet Builder - Rochdale to Win, Over Seven Corners and Over Two Goals @ 9/4
Best Bet: Rochdale to win @ 19/20
League Two Rochdale can use their experience to see off Liverpool's youngsters and make the ideal start to their EFL Trophy campaign.
Dale are 17th in the fourth tier and have won only two of their first seven league games following last season's promotion through the National League play-offs.
However, one of their victories came at the weekend when they beat Oldham 2-0 and with a trip to Fleetwood to come on Saturday, Ian Watson will want to keep his players ticking over.
The Rochdale boss is likely to make some changes to give a few youngsters and some fringe players the chance to impress, but the hosts should still have enough to overcome Liverpool's academy prospects.
Liverpool U21s have had a mixed start to the season in Premier League 2, drawing with Everton and losing to West Ham, alongside wins over Leeds and Brighton.
They were impressive when hammering the Seagulls 5-1 at home over the weekend, but this is a step up, and Rochdale are fancied to use their know-how to edge it.
Alternative Bet: Rochdale goals range 2-4 @ 4/5
A home win looks likely on Tuesday and backing Dale to score two, three or four goals against Liverpool Under-21s is a solid option.
In this age bracket, Liverpool have struggled against EFL sides in recent years, and it could well be a similar story at Spotland.
Last year, the young Reds failed to win any of their three group games, losing 2-0 at both Burton and Crewe before drawing 2-2 with Chesterfield.
Premier League academy teams are usually up against it in the early group games when they take on established professional opponents whose focus is often winning matches, rather than development.
Rochdale v Liverpool U21 Bet Builder Tip
Rochdale to win
Over seven corners
Over two goals
Pays 9/4
Rochdale to start their EFL Trophy group schedule with a win is the basis for the Bet Builder with the League Two side tipped to control proceedings at home.
Dale have scored six goals in their last three at Spotland, while Liverpool's youngsters approach this tie after banging in five goals at the weekend against Brighton so there looks to be a high chance of seeing at least three goals here.
The final leg is for there to be at least eight corners, which has been a regular occurrence in Rochdale's League Two games this season with five of their seven league games producing at least that figure, while all four of Liverpool U21s Premier League 2 games have had eight or more corners awarded in them.
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Key Match Stats
Rochdale have won two of their last three home games
Liverpool Under-21s have failed to win either of their Premier League 2 away games this season
Rochdale beat Liverpool Under-21s 4-0 at home in this competition in 2021
Dale were also 1-0 winners at home in the EFL Trophy group stage in 2022
Both teams have scored in three of Liverpool Under-21s four league games
There have been at least eight corners in all of Liverpool Under-21s league games and in five of Rochdale's seven
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
