Score predictions - Stockport home

By all accounts, a solid second half display at Burton saw the Reds get back to winning ways in the league last weekend. We now welcome the visit of Stockport County on Saturday evening, for the first of 2 games in 3 days under the Oakwell lights. Early pace setters County have slipped down the table following 3 games without a win, and find themselves 6th at present, 2 points and 3 places behind the Reds, with a game in hand. The early betting has Barnsley as 5/4 favourites, with the League 2 Champions as narrow outsiders at 21/10.


The Hatters have started the season undefeated away from home in all competitions, with 2 wins and 2 draws, and 5 points in the league on their travels. Last season, they had the best away record in league 2 with 42 points from 23 games, which for context, was 1 point better than us in League 1. They've only lost 2 of their last 18 competitive away fixtures (won 7 drawn 9) and 1 of those was at runners up Wrexham on the final day of last season, when they'd already secured the title.


This will be the first meeting between the 2 sides for almost 20 years. Tony Vaughan scored 3 goals across our last 2 meetings with Stockport, as we drew both games with an aggregate score of 5-5 in a season which saw County relegated to League 2. We are unbeaten in the last 4 meetings at Oakwell between the 2 sides, albeit 3 of those were score draws. Our last victory over Stockport at Oakwell was in 2003, and came courtesy of a 10th minute Bruce Dyer strike. Our record at home to County has been favourable historically, with 23 wins, 16 draws and just 8 defeats in all competitions, with the majority of those defeats coming in the 60s and 70s. We've lost just 1 of the last 9 meetings at Oakwell, though there have been a lot of high scoring draws in that time (a 4-4, 2x 3-3's, a 2-2 and 2x 1-1's).


County have a couple of ex Reds in their side. Corey Addai was one of about 39 players shipped off to Esbjerg in 2021 as part of whatever weird player trading scam Paul Conway was running at that time. He left the Reds without playing a competitive fixture, via an unsuccessful spell at Chesterfield on loan. Callum Connolly made 3 appearances for the Reds on loan from Everton in 2016; his only Oakwell appearance was in a rare defeat for Paul Heckingbottom's chargers, at home to Southend, late in the 15/16 season. He was only with us a few weeks (with the Reds winning in his other appearances) before returning to Everton and making his Premier League debut at home to Southampton just a few weeks later. As far as I can tell, there aren't any ex Stockport players in the Barnsley ranks, though Reds coach Bobby Hassell played and was booked the last time the two sides met.


Once again, I don't see many changes for the Reds, as the side seems to pick itself. Roberts could drop out after a couple of poor displays, though only if Pines is back available. Whilst Lofthouse does keep impressing, I think Clarke will stick with O'Keeffe given he assisted the winning goal last weekend. Despite scoring the winner, Stephen Humphrys is still getting back to full fitness, so I expect Cosgrove to lead the line again, with DKD playing off him.



From what I've read, Stockport don't seem to have any major injury concerns. Dave Challinor may switch things up though off the back of a very disappointing result at home to Leyton Orient last weekend, and Sports Mole predicts substitutes Lewis Bate and Isaac Olaofe could come into the side. Despite all the hype around Louie Barry, it's left sided attacking wing back Ibou Touray who has the best average on Fot Mob so far this season, despite only being a late sub in County's defeat to Orient. The Gambia international could find a place back in the lineup after playing the full 90 in all league games prior to last weekend, though he seems to start when County play a back 4 rather than a 3. The obvious danger men are the aforementioned Barry, and towering centre forward Kyle Wootton. Between them they have 7 goals and 2 assists in the league already this season. Barry ranks in he top 10% for chances created by forwards, and Wootton the same for aerial duels (though fewer than Sam Cosgrove).



The referee is 'Jesus Christ, that's Declan Bourne'. Mr Bourne officiate 2 Reds games towards the end of last season. He first took charge of our away win at Fleetwood, gaining favourable reviews in the ref watch table, but then put in what the BBS scored as one of the worst performances of the season away at Stevenage, where the Reds slumped to a 2-1 defeat. He took charge of County's FLT win away at Salford last season, awarding them a penalty in a 3-1 win. Of his 6 games so far this season, he's issued 26 yellow cards, 1 red and awarded 1 penalty.


Given our defensive frailties, particularly at home, and with Stockport being a good attacking side, I can see this being a high scoring affair. Historically this fixture has provided a few high scoring draws, and big games under the lights at Oakwell don't often pass without plenty of drama. I can see both teams talismanic players being the difference, and therefore have backed both Louie Barry and Adam Phillips to score at a shade over 25/2 (P/L for the season = -£5.30). I'm going for a 2-2 draw in this one, probably a brace from both the aforementioned players.

 

Colliers 3 Hatters 2

 

Another nervy 2-1 to us

 

Reds 2-1 Stockport.

Phillips and Roberts.

 

4-3 home win

 

Home win, keep the faith, C,O,Y,R.

 

I smell a defeat, but I hope not. Is Pines likely to be back? If he was I'd be more confident of a win. Will say 1-1.

 

Hoping for a steady 2-0

 

4-1 Reds.
Phillips 2, DKD, MDG
12,799

Lotto: 1, 9, 10, 20, 29, 35. BB 21

 

4-3 home win

 

Still can’t see a clean sheet for us at the moment, but I’m feeling optimistic about the result. 2-1 or 3-1 to us

 

2-1 Reds. Reds.

 

3-1 Reds.

 

They’ve a very decent side for this level, other than at the back.

Hoping Benson gets the start he deserves.

2-0 Reds if we get it right.

 

1-3

 

3-1 to us.

 

1-2 Norwood to run the show

 

Big fan of Benson but who would you play him ahead of YT?

 

Not whitey but I'd play him at the expense of Phillips who can hit them but quite often does nothing and makes it like we are playing with just 2 in midfield which then leaves them overrun exposing our powderpuff defence.
He's a good player but a luxury player too who the other 9 have to carry and sadly we don't have a good enough team to carry a luxury player at the moment

 

I’d play Connell deep, where he should be. So Benson rather than Craig.

He offers more pace in midfield, he can create and score goals, he gets stuck in and I think you’ll get more out of others just by having him in there.

Of course, there’ll still be question marks over his fitness and I do appreciate that he’s one hell of a sub to call upon. And I’ve nothing against Craig either. I’m just a big fan of Josh and think we’d be better for his inclusion.