Bolton Wanderers
- Bolton Wanderers have the psychological advantage after winning both legs of their EFL League One promotion playoff semi-final against Bradford 1-0.
- Bolton Wanderers are the possession-based side who will try to control the game’s flow and set up midfield overloads to overload the opposition’s defence before striking.
Stockport County
- Stockport County are in slightly better form, however, having won four of their last five matches including both legs of their playoff semi-final against Stevenage, scoring at least two goals in three of those five.
- Ben Osborn’s runs from midfield were key to them winning their semi-final 2nd leg and he is just one of a number of County players who can come off the bench and produce a piece of brilliance.
Head-to-Head
- This contest of possession vs pressure will be won and lost in the midfield and the result could go either way based on Bolton’s recent record and Stockport’s slightly better head-to-head record.
- Bolton won both play-off semi-final legs against Bradford, but were in mixed form prior to that.
Bolton Wanderers
- Mason Burstow, who leads the League One scoring charts with 12 goals, is the best example of their physical and technical prowess up front, where his hold-up play and end-product have been crucial.
- Xavier Simons is their most dynamic player and scored the decisive goal in the semi-final.
- Jack Bonham’s shot-stopping has been key to their playoff run.
- Sam Dalby is Bolton’s top scorer in all competitions with 13 and is a versatile forward who can play anywhere across the front four and make a difference off the bench or in the starting line-up.
Stockport County
- Kyle Wootton is the most dangerous player in League One, having scored 18 goals in the league season as an aerial target and a poacher in the box.
- Louie Barry adds pace and end-product from the flanks, although he lacks the physical presence of Wootton, and scored in the semi-final.
- Ben Osborn’s runs from midfield were key to them winning their semi-final 2nd leg and he is just one of a number of County players who can come off the bench and produce a piece of brilliance.
Betting Insights
- Stockport are the slight favorites at 2.61 with Bolton at 2.62 and the draw at 3.25.
- Over 2.5 goals is the narrow favorite in the total bets.
Prediction
With both teams in decent form, we predict a 1-1 draw that could be decided by a moment of brilliance or a set-piece in a tense clash of styles.
