BURY boss Alan Knill is not even bothering to pretend that Saturday's high-noon showdown with Rochdale is just another game.

Knill's first derby in charge last April saw two red cards in a 1-1 draw at Gigg Lane while another hard-fought affair at Spotland earlier this season also finished 1-1.

The bitter neighbours both lost in midweek, with Bury suffering a second straight defeat at home to Chesterfield, while Dale went down to a last-minute winner at Barnet.

That means third-placed Dale remain just two points ahead of the Shakers with 12 games remaining, so Knill accepts there will be something special about the Gigg Lane clash.

"The last two derbies we've had I've really enjoyed and we hope it's going to be another great game," he said.

"You try to treat it no different but the truth is we had 2,000 here Tuesday night and there'll probably be 7,000 here on Saturday, so that in itself makes it a different sort of game.

"It's always a competitive game and the atmosphere is unbelievable."

Boosted

Bury will be boosted by the return of tenacious midfielder Stephen Dawson for Richie Baker after missing Tuesday's 2-1 defeat by Chesterfield through suspension.

"Daws is a good player but I don't think that was the reason we lost the game," Knill added. "The way we conceded those two goals was the reason."

Dale will be without striker Chris Dagnall, however, after he was sent off late on against Barnet.

Dagnall had come on as a late substitute so Keith Hill can name an unchanged starting line-up as Dale aim to bounce back from that late defeat in midweek.

"We have to go again at the weekend," he said. "We'll pick the lads up and be ready for it. There's lot of twists and turns to come and lots of football to be played, and whether it's a great day on Saturday will depend if we win.

"We are handling our situation how we feel best and, with respect to what Bury are doing, I couldn't care less to be perfectly honest."

Bury league form: DWWLL

Rochdale league form: DLWWL

Key opponent: Nicky Adams - former Bury man will have a point to prove

Prediction: Bury 1 Rochdale 1 - this one is too close to call

Agree with the prediction? Have your say.

You can get 8/1 on Bury winning 2-1 with Betfred. For this and more odds, click here. Tweet