**Two clubs shaking off the rust in a mid-summer friendly** — Rochdale looking to bounce back after a heavy loss, Al-Rayyan bringing continental pedigree to a sunny Sunday clash. 🌞

Rochdale's preseason opener didn't go to plan (0-2 drubbing), so they'll be hungry to reset against a Qatari outfit with experience across different leagues. Al-Rayyan will fancy themselves, but a friendly is always a grab bag.

Key storylines:

- **Rochdale's attacking refresh**: D. Rodney and E. Dieseruvwe need to make an impression upfront after the FC United shipshow
- **Al-Rayyan's midfield control**: A-heavy lineup suggests possession chess — D. Amaro and Gabriel Pereira will probe for openings
- **Defensive solidity test**: Both backlines untested against each other; B. Kelly and M. I. Abunada have plenty to prove

Expected lineups:

- **Rochdale**: B. Kelly, A. Baptiste, B. A. Bilongo, C. Perry, C. Hayes, C. Pettit, C. Edwards, D. Moss, D. Rodney, E. Dieseruvwe, I. Henderson
- **Al-Rayyan**: M. I. Abunada, A. Yousif, A. Hatem, A. A. Ali, A. Al-Ganehi, A. A. A. Diri, D. Amaro, Gabriel Pereira, A. Alaaeldin, A. Al-Rawi, A. Mitrović

Prediction:

**1-1 draw** — both sides too cagey in preseason to blow anyone away, but enough quality to avoid a stinker. Lean friendly.