Originally this clash was scheduled for Saturday December 15 2007, until the pitch became frozen at Spotland, and then Tuesday February 5 2008, before
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Notts will no doubt be pleased that this game had been postponed twice, despite making the journey first time around, because it now gives them a chance to hit back after a woeful display at Bury.
Notts were extremely poor and have it all to do to stay up. This will not be easy with Dale in brilliant form and chasing
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Team News
Notts - Jay Smith is out, while Adam Tann is a doubt as are Gary Silk and Wayne Corden. Gavin Strachan and Kevin Pilkington are set to miss the rest of the season. Manager Ian McParland could make changes following Saturday's loss.
Rochdale - Rene Howe will be restored to the starting line-up whether or not the doubtful Lee Thorpe makes it. Other than that Keith Hill will most likely name an unchanged side with Chris Dagnall suffering with flu and goalkeepers James Spencer and Sam Russell missing with injuries.
Form guide
Notts - The four match unbeaten run was ended at Bury on Saturday, and the form guide now looks different with just one win in nine games, and only four goals scored in that time. Notts are ever closer to the drop in League Two now just three points above safety with five games to play. Notts also lost a fine unbeaten away record of seven games on Saturday.
Rochdale - Hill's men are in fine form, and have won their last four since a shock defeat at Meadow Lane. That is their only loss in six, and Dale have charged to well within the play-off zone. At Spotland, Dale have won their last four.
Last time out
Notts County 1-0 Rochdale, March 22, 2008, Meadow Lane.
An unbelievable defensive performance shut out play-off hunting Rochdale to give Notts a precious three points in the battle to stay up.
And it was a defender, and man of the match Michael Johnson, who popped
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On his home debut Wayne Corden brilliantly turned past two challenges and crossed for Ryan Jarvis who knocked on to Johnson to tap home his first ever Notts goal in his second spell at the club.
At that point it was a deserved opener for Notts, given to them after 28 minutes, but from then on it was backs to the wall.
Both Johnson and Gary Silk superbly cleared off the line, while Rene Howe and Adam Le Fondre missed good chances and Gary Jones had a goal disallowed for a foul on Paul Mayo.
For Notts, aside from the goal two glorious chances fell to Danny Crow with the scores at 0-0 but he missed both.
Key men
Notts - Danny Crow struck a much-needed goal at Bury, which doubles his tally for Notts and ended his barren streak of seven games.
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That it didn't go on to provide Notts with a precious point is neither here nor there, because the return to form of Crow could be huge in the run-in.
His confidence, which prior to Bury he had admitted was low, will be back and he is a natural finisher when at his confident best.
If he gets the service he can score the goals to lead Notts from trouble.
Rochdale - Rene Howe hit a superb hat-trick to inspire a 3-1 win over Grimsby at the weekend, and he has been a huge success since his loan move from Peterborough United.
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Howe actually started as a substitute, brought into the action after 31 minutes following an injury to Lee Thorpe, but he still picked up the matchball.
His confidence will be sky high, and his treble doubled his Dale tally in 15 matches, taking him to six.
Howe demonstrated his capabilities in the recent clash at Meadow Lane in which he could have had a hatful of goals were it not for some poor finishing and sterling Magpies defending.
The Notts backline will have to be just as sterling against Howe once more, with his power, pace and confidence a massive threat
Big battle
David Perkins is a vastly underated player in League Two, and his energy
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The diminutive man works harder than most and on the ball makes things happen, combining well with Dale captain Gary Jones.
Having worked his way through non-league as a full-back, Perkins has made the central role his own and will take some stopping.
It is likely that Ian McParland will keep faith with the under fire Gary Silk, and he will be charged with halting
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Silk must get hold of him and shake him up otherwise Dale will create plenty of chances.
Perkins is also adept at arriving into the box late, and Silk mustn't let that happen.
Possible line-ups
Notts (4-4-2): Russell Hoult; Lee Canoville, Mike Edwards, Michael Johnson, Paul Mayo; Wayne Corden, Jay Smith, Gary Silk, Myles Weston; Jason Lee, Danny Crow.
Rochdale (4-4-2): Tommy Lee; Simon Ramsden, Nathan Stanton, Rory McArdle, Tom Kennedy; Ben Muirhead, David Perkins, Gary Jones, Adam Rundle; Rene Howe, Kallum Higginbotham.
Prediction
This will be a huge test for Notts, with Dale impressive despite the Magpies winning at Meadow Lane. They are in good scoring form and it could be another bad night for Notts. 2-0 Dale.