Newport County will be looking to end the League Two season with back-to-back victories when they welcome Rochdale to Rodney Parade on Saturday.

The visitors, on the other hand, have lost their last two matches after giving up a 3-1 lead against Bristol Rovers last weekend.

Match preview

Newport enter the final matchday in 11th place, and although they cannot reach the playoffs, they could still finish as high as ninth position.

A run of three consecutive defeats ended Newport's playoff hopes, but they managed to return to winning ways against Port Vale on Monday.

Ryan Haynes opened the scoring within three minutes of kickoff before Ben Garrity equalised for Port Vale after the break, but the Exiles restored their lead through Finn Azaz, who netted what proved to be the winner in the 72nd minute.

Although James Rowberry's side would have taken confidence from the 2-1 victory, they enter Saturday's contest off the back of four consecutive home defeats.

Despite experiencing a poor run of results at Rodney Parade, the hosts can take confidence from the fact that they have scored more home goals than any other side in League Two this season.

Rochdale, meanwhile, currently occupy 20th position in League Two, but despite residing in the lower reaches of the league table, their place in the football league is secure.

Although they are guaranteed to finish no lower than 20th place, the Dale could still move up a few positions if they win and other teams around them drop points.

They will enter Saturday's contest in a downbeat mood after squandering a 3-1 lead against Bristol Rovers last weekend to lose 4-3.

The Dale took a two-goal lead into half time thanks to Luke Charman's first-half brace, and though Sam Finley pulled a goal back for the Gas, Rochdale quickly restored the two-goal advantage courtesy of Corey O'Keeffe's effort.

In the 66th minute, Bristol Rovers halved the deficit once again through Aaron Collins before the Welshman netted two more goals in the 89th and 95th minute to wrap up his hat-trick and snatch all three points for the Gas, ensuring that Rochdale fell to back-to-back defeats.

Team News

Robbie Willmott has missed Newport's last four matches due to a knee problem with the defender also expected to be sidelined for the final game of the season.

The Exiles will, however, have James Clarke available after the 32-year-old returned to the side against Port Vale.

Rowberry will have to make a decision about who joins Dom Telford upfront, with Rob Street expected to get the nod ahead of Courtney Baker-Richardson.

As for the visitors, they will be without the services of Jimmy Keohane, who is ruled out due to a shoulder problem, and he will be replaced in the starting lineup by Jim McNulty.

Liam Kelly has missed the last four matches through injury, but the 26-year-old is expected to be fit enough to feature on Saturday.

After opening his account for Rochdale last weekend, Charman will head into the weekend in a confident mood, with the 24-year-old set to continue in the front three alongside Matt Done and Conor Grant.

Newport County possible starting lineup:
Townsend; Clarke, Dolan, Pask; Norman, Bennett, Azaz, Cain, Haynes; Telford, Street

Rochdale possible starting lineup:
Eastwood; McNulty, O'Connell, Taylor; O'Keeffe, Brierley, Dooley, Clark; Done, Charman, Grant

We say: Newport County 2-1 Rochdale

Newport returned to winning ways last weekend, and we think that they will round off the season with consecutive victories when they come up against a Rochdale side who are enduring a poor run of form.

Previews by email