Stockport County vs Bolton Wanderers Match Analysis and Prediction

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Stockport Count and Bolton Wanderers will square off at Edgeley Park on Wednesday in the replay of their FA Cup first-round clash, after a 2-2 draw at the Macron Stadium.

The Lancashire sides who are two divisions apart in the English pyramid, will square off for a spot in the second round, with an away tie against Rotherham United looming.

After a concerning start to the National League season, Stockport County appointed Dave Challinor as their new boss, and they headed into his first game in charge in a trip to Bolton full of optimism for the future.

The side fancied to challenge at the top of the fifth tier took an away lead through a goal from Scott Quigley, but goals from Elias Kachunga and Eoin Doyle got the Trotters ahead.

Ben Whitefield made it draw on the stroke of half time, and the Hatters held on for a draw, forcing Bolton to travel to Edgeley Park.

A home clash against Bromley on Saturday, Dave Challinor’s first game in charge, did not go according to the plan, as they took a 1-0 lead through Quigley’s goal, only for the visitors to force a share of the spoils in the 90th minute through a Liam Hogan own goal.

Before focusing on climbing the league, Stockport will look again to surprise the League One outfit and go a step better to reach the second round of the FA Cup, with what would be an impressive win.

The visitors arrive much in need of a league win having previously struggled for form.

Ian Evatt’s side went into the first-round clash with Stockport on the back of a five-game winless run in the league, seeing them drop from the playoffs, and they rebounded from disappointment of the draw with a victory on Friday.

Stockport County vs Bolton Wanderers head to head

Despite Stockport County being slightly better than Bolton, they are much of almost level in strenghth. Out of their eight encounters in all competitions, they have had four draws as Stockport County have won 3 matches while Bolton Wanderers have settled for 1 win.

Stockport County 0-0 Bolton Wanderers 14/12/00

Stockport County 4-3 Bolton Wanderers 21/10/00

Bolton Wanderers 1-1 Stockport County 03/04/01

Stockport County 0-0 Bolton Wanderers 25/07/17

Bolton Wanderers 2-2 Stockport County 07/11/21

Stockport County latest home form

Stockport County have had ease to play at home recently. Despite being narrowly beaten 2-1 by Barnet in the National League, they have performed well in their five recent matches in all tournaments. They have won three, drawn one and lost one.

Stockport County 2-1 Wrexham 25/09/21

Stockport County 1-0 Aldershot Town 09/10/21

Stockport County 3-0 Stamford 16/10/21

Stockport County 1-2 Barnet 26/10/21

Stockport County 1-1 Bromley 13/11/21

Stockport County latest away form

Similar to their balanced performance at home, Stockport have had a relatively good form on the road. They have only been beaten once in the National League by Notts County in their recent five away games. They have collected 10 points and 11 goals in the process.

Weymouth 1-2 Stockport County 02/10/21

Chester 0-1 Stockport County 19/10/21

Notts County 2-1 Stockport County 23/10/21

Dover Athletic 2-5 Stockport County 30/10/21

Bolton Wanderers 2-2 Stockport County 07/11/21

Bolton Wanderers latest home form

It has not been a rosy process for Bolton at home, although they have recently shown an improvent in performance at home, taking a draw with Stockport County in FA Cup, before taking victory against Crewe Alexandra in the League One campaign recently.

Bolton Wanderers 4-1 Liverpool U21 05/10/21

Bolton wanderers 0-4 Wigan Athletic 16/10/21

Bolton Wanderers 2-2 Gillingham 23/10/21

Bolton Wanderers 2-2 Stockport County 07/11/21

Bolton Wanderers 2-0 Crewe Alexandra 12/11/21

Bolton Wanderers latest away form

Bolton have had to deal with a three winless run in their recent matches away from home, after which they bounced back into form and took a 3-0 victory over Rochdale in the EFL Trophy, in which could be seen as an improvement in their form away from home into future matches.

Charlton Atheletic 1-4 Bolton Wanderers 28/09/21

Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 Bolton Wanderers 09/10/21

Plymouth Argyle 3-0 Bolton Wanderers 19/10/21

Portsmouth 1-0 Bolton Wanderers 02/11/21

Rochdale 0-3 Bolton Wanderers 02/11/21

Stockport County news

Stockport’s made a new signing of Bolton captain Antoni Sarcevic in October who missed out at Macron Stadium due to injury, and will now be fit to feature. He would play alongside John Rooney and Ryan Croasdale in a midfield trio, as the Hatters look to avoid getting overrun.

Bolton Wanderers news

Experienced forward Eoin Doyle should continue to lead the line, although Amadou Bakayoko will also hope to feature. In the absence of Sarcevic, Kieran Lee will act as a key leader in the mid, and could make a midfield tri with Josh Sheehan and Jordan Williams.

Prediction and Odds

We do not see this as a straightforward victory for visitors Bolton Wanderers, despite the difference in level. Meanwhile for Stockport, they will give everything to eke out a result on home turf, but we ultimately see them falling just short to the quality that Bolton possess.

Odds: 1 2.95 X 3.45 2 1.80